2023 Botanicals Collection Release

Waikari, North Canterbury

Viticulture
Planted between 2000-2002 at 11,111 vines/ha and farmed biodynamically from inception. A beautiful, very steep, north-facing block. Coarse, shallow soils that enhance the aromatics; 20% clay, 3-7% active lime.

Winemaking
Carefully hand sorted, fully destemmed and fermented with wild yeasts using infusion methods for 25 days. Settled in tank before being transferred to French wooden barrels. Elevage of 18 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting notes
Bright ruby hue. Expressive floral nose of rose petals, dried herbs and summer berries, gravelly savouriness, the complexity leaps out of the glass. A finely detailed palate that is mineral and savoury, and a hint of iodine, with flavours of berry compote and fresh sour cherries. A fine, grainy structure and an understated power drives the wine, resulting in a long, subtle finish.

Closure
Cork (Diam Origine 10) and wax seal
The 2023 vintage also brings a change to closure, with all the Botanical Collection wines now sealed with a cork closure, Diam Origine 10. This cork guarantees freedom from cork taint, is bound together by natural beeswax compounds, and has consistent elasticity which guarantees a proper seal with each bottle. The bottle is also finished with a wax cap. This will be our closure for all following vintages, providing customers with real confidence in cellaring and honours the natural luxury idea that sits behind the Pyramid Valley brand.

~ 94 POINTS ~
The 2023 Pinot Noir Angel Flower is dense yet elegant, with the natural tension of its site restraining its fullness to maintain focus and poise. The 2023 offers an understated nose, concentrated flavors of red cherry and rhubarb and resonant woody herbs on the long, sinewy finish. Light, chalky tannins and fresh acidity meet to provide texture and pull in this soulful New Zealand Pinot.
- Rebecca Gibb MW, Red Wine Report

Tasting Note

Lowburn, Central Otago

Viticulture
From the Snake’s Tongue parcel planted in 2007 at our estate in Lowburn, Central Otago. Abel clone meticulously farmed to the highest standard in its third year of organic conversion producing stellar fruit. Soils are predominantly loess over deep silts that have developed pedogenic lime deposits.

Winemaking
25% whole bunch with the remainder gently de-stemmed to maintain a high percentage of whole berries. Fermented using wild yeasts in open top Nico Velo concrete tulipes for 26 days. Aged in French barrels for 12 months, 30% new oak, then blended and aged for a further 6 months in oak prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting notes
Bright garnet hue. Complex florals, five spice, gamey, spiced plums, cherries, cloves and wild thyme, quite an alluring nose. On the palate, concentrated flavours of mineral, iodine, spiced plums, thyme and game meats. The mouthfeel is plush and silky, with a juicy, evocative structure and a savoury saline finish.

Closure
Cork (Diam Origine 10) and wax seal
The 2023 vintage also brings a change to closure, with all the Botanical Collection wines now sealed with a cork closure, Diam Origine 10. This cork guarantees freedom from cork taint, is bound together by natural beeswax compounds, and has consistent elasticity which guarantees a proper seal with each bottle. The bottle is also finished with a wax cap. This will be our closure for all following vintages, providing customers with real confidence in cellaring and honours the natural luxury idea that sits behind the Pyramid Valley brand.

~ 94 POINTS ~
The 2023 Pinot Noir Snake's Tongue is a remarkably fragrant wine, with a strong floral burst giving way to raspberries, blackberries, red cherries and mint. You could spend a long time just sniffing it. This is supple and sensitively made, generous but not weighty, with fine, succulent tannins and gently refreshing acidity on the calming finish. Though young, the 2023’s gentle structure makes it enjoyable from the off and for a decade beyond. 
- Rebecca Gibb MW, Red Wine Report

Tasting Note

1x Earth Smoke Pinot Noir 2023 (97 pts)
1x Angel Flower Pinot Noir 2023 (96 pts)
1x Snake's Tongue Pinot Noir 2023 (96 pts)

2023 Pyramid Valley Earth Smoke Pinot Noir
Vibrant garnet with exceptional clarity. The nose has brooding aromas of savoury dark fruits, spicy complexity and florals. The palate is dense and compact, with a core of umami raspberries and a savoury, resinous complexity surrounded by soft, fine tannins and a saline, palate-activating structure. A pure, vibrant, and expansive expression of Earth Smoke.

2023 Pyramid Valley Angel Flower Pinot Noir
Bright ruby hue. Expressive floral nose of rose petals, dried herbs and summer berries, gravelly savouriness, the complexity leaps out of the glass. A finely detailed palate that is mineral and savoury, and a hint of iodine, with flavours of berry compote and fresh sour cherries. A fine, grainy structure and an understated power drives the wine, resulting in a long, subtle finish.

2023 Pyramid Valley Snake's Tongue Pinot Noir
Bright garnet hue. Complex florals, five spice, gamey, spiced plums, cherries, cloves and wild thyme, quite an alluring nose. On the palate, concentrated flavours of mineral, iodine, spiced plums, thyme and game meats. The mouthfeel is plush and silky, with a juicy, evocative structure and a savoury saline finish.