Pyramid Valley Lion’s Tooth Chardonnay North Canterbury – 2022

Pyramid Valley are probably New Zealand’s most exciting “newcomers” of the past few years, making some of the most impressive Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays outside Burgundy. Situated about 50kms north of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island, their cool climate, high altitude vineyards are based on a mix of clay and limestone soils. The vineyards were planted in 2000 and have been cultivated biodynamically ever since. In 2017 the winery was sold to Steve Smith MW, one of New Zealand’s most accomplished winemakers and formerly the head winemaker at Craggy Range. At 20+ years of age, the vines are now beginning to show their true potential. These are fantastic, single site, terroir-expressive wines and seriously good value alternatives to Burgundy!

2022 was a cool growing season, with higher than average rainfall resulting in lush, healthy canopies. The weather became dry and stable in late March/April which allowed for picking of clean, ripe fruit.

“The 2022 Lion’s Tooth Chardonnay is nutty, complex, wide and concentrated, with a stream of yellow fruits and briney acidity. It’s a gorgeous wine, one that I recall with great fondness when I think of it. It has beeswax, lemongrass, yellow peach, mustard leaf/greens, curry leaf and saline threads woven through the finish. This is another great wine from this vineyard this year.” 95pts Wine Advocate

Winemaker tasting note
Pale lemon straw hue. Mineral complex nose of mandarin, cashew nuts, and crushed limestone. Great depth. Taught, focused flavours envelop the palate. Lemon curd, mandarin peel, nutty flavours unfold. Great length and drive with saline acidity.

Viticulture
Planted from 2000-2002 at 11,111 vines/ha and a second planting in 2018, farmed biodynamically from inception. Steeply inclined, east facing home block. Beautiful soils, with nut and crumb  structure and great mineral fertility: 30% clay, 15% active lime.

Winemaking
Crushed and soaked for 2 hours prior to pressing. Wild ferment, in aged French oak barrels. 12 months on lees in barrel, then aged on light lees for 5 months in stainless steel prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered in September 2023.

Alcohol: 13 %
Suitable for Vegetarian/Vegan: Yes
409 cases of 6 x 750ml bottles were produced.