Waikari, North Canterbury
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
Whole bunch pressed and transferred to barrel without settling. Wild ferment, in an aged French oak barrel. 12 months on lees in barrel, then aged on light lees for 5 months in barrel prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered in August 2024.
Tasting notes
Lemon straw hue. Mineral, complex nose of flint, toast, marscarpone, mandarin peel, orange blossoms and cashew nuts. Great depth. Concentrated, focused flavours envelop the palate with bursts of acidity and a phenolic breadth this site always delivers. Lemon curd, mandarin, ocean mist, toasted nuts and creme brulee flavours unfold. Great length and drive with saline acidity.
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 Chardonnay Lion's Tooth is young and tightly wound, with a clarity of cool climate fruit. While there's a sense of tenderness, a feature of dry whites grown on chalky soils, it is bone dry with a sense of savory forcefulness. Citrus, apple and a distinct salinity shine with subtle oak-derived hazelnut characters.
- Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
