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Pyramid Valley Springs Chardonnay 2020

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Pyramid Valley Springs Chardonnay 2020
Producer Pyramid Valley
Region, Country North Canterbury, New Zealand
Bottle Size 750ml
Case Size 6
Product Code 21546-750

Waipara’s Springs Vineyard is home to a single plot of 40-year-old vines, thought to be some of—if not the oldest—in the country. The own-rooted Mendoza clone vines bury deep into the Omihi clay soils, and the age of the vines is far from the only attraction here. Sheltered by the Teviot hills from the prevailing, cool easterly winds, the site’s relatively high midsummer warmth, combined with low rainfall during the growing season, makes for a unique location in a marginal climate. The set of conditions has not been lost on the minds at Pyramid Valley, which has been leasing and managing this vineyard since 2019 (without synthetic chemicals or fertilizers).
The grapes from 2020 were foot-stomped in the original shed, then whole-bunch pressed. The juice fermented wild on full solids before spending 12 months on lees before it was racked, blended and aged in old puncheons on fine lees for another six months over a second winter. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered in September 2021.

This first release shows all the exhilarating qualities of Waipara x Pyramid Valley DNA, with focused, reductive aromatics, exuberant acidity and superb, fleshy balance. Flavours of ripe orchard fruit, blossom, toasted hazelnuts and hovering salty minerals glide across the palate, stretching towards a refined, chalky finish. Pure quality. No hurry to drink here.

Pyramid Valley Springs Chardonnay 2020

Reviews

“This has some get up and go, and individuality. There’s a strong saline currency to the wine, briny minerality let’s say, amongst that green apple, nectarine, some ginger-lemon tea elements, faint chamomile floral-herbal notes and a fine dose of almond savouriness. It feels powerful but fine, athletic and energetic with a beautiful, long, luxurious flow with a sweet-nutty finish that stains the palate quietly. It feels expensive, if you get the drift, and with that has a sense of drinkability and charm.”
95 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“A bit of reduction on the nose blows off with air and reveals aromas of meyer lemons, rosemary and white tea. Full-bodied with lovely texture and depth. Complex and layered with persistent length. Citrus turns slightly nutty and herbs are colored by subtle earthy spice.”
94 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com.
“Intense, dense, fruit-forward wine with an appealing savoury edge that helps to build impressive complexity.”
96 points, Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review
"The 2020 Chardonnay Springs was planted in 1982 on its own roots, making it one of the very first vineyards in the Waipara region. Two-thousand twenty is the first vintage that was leased after it was abandoned in 2018 for difficulties of its owners at Waipara Springs. This densely concentrated wine indicates the low yields on these old vines. Fermented in large format oak, of which around 30% is new, this shows cashew nut, flinty and floral characters. It's succulent and round with a gentle texture coating your mouth with an oatmeal. Nectarine with a citrus-like tang and salty notes come on the drawn out finish. Far from a flamboyant wine, this is all about texture, richness and precision."
93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous

Reviews

“This has some get up and go, and individuality. There’s a strong saline currency to the wine, briny minerality let’s say, amongst that green apple, nectarine, some ginger-lemon tea elements, faint chamomile floral-herbal notes and a fine dose of almond savouriness. It feels powerful but fine, athletic and energetic with a beautiful, long, luxurious flow with a sweet-nutty finish that stains the palate quietly. It feels expensive, if you get the drift, and with that has a sense of drinkability and charm.”
95 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“A bit of reduction on the nose blows off with air and reveals aromas of meyer lemons, rosemary and white tea. Full-bodied with lovely texture and depth. Complex and layered with persistent length. Citrus turns slightly nutty and herbs are colored by subtle earthy spice.”
94 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com.
“Intense, dense, fruit-forward wine with an appealing savoury edge that helps to build impressive complexity.”
96 points, Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review
"The 2020 Chardonnay Springs was planted in 1982 on its own roots, making it one of the very first vineyards in the Waipara region. Two-thousand twenty is the first vintage that was leased after it was abandoned in 2018 for difficulties of its owners at Waipara Springs. This densely concentrated wine indicates the low yields on these old vines. Fermented in large format oak, of which around 30% is new, this shows cashew nut, flinty and floral characters. It's succulent and round with a gentle texture coating your mouth with an oatmeal. Nectarine with a citrus-like tang and salty notes come on the drawn out finish. Far from a flamboyant wine, this is all about texture, richness and precision."
93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous

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