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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2025 and 2032 (based on 26 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 93.4 pts. and median of 94 pts. in 5 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by vvWine.ch on 3/1/2024 & rated 94 points: Etwas subtiler als der Earth Smoke Pinot Noir daneben, tiefgründig, feinduftig, sehr floral. Im Gaumen seidenweich, was für eine knackige Frucht, was für eine elegante Struktur, alles ist an seinem Platz, nichts überwiegt, der Wein zeigt diese leichte Krautigkeit, die ich an den frisch-würzigen Pinot Noirs so liebe. Langer, rotfruchtiger Abgang. Ab sofort ein Hit, grosse Reserven. (400 views) | | | Tasted by Collector1855 on 9/5/2023 & rated 91 points: During a walkabout tasting, so only brief impressions. Lovely discovery here. The Pyramid Valley wines were delightful, translucent red color, very light on the palate too, much lighter than the Felton Road or Bell Hill wines for example, Volnay style really. The Angel flower was floral and ethereal (91pt) while the earth smoke (93pt) was a step up in palate presence and richness as well as complexity, more Morey. (985 views) | | | Tasted by sirpat00 on 6/3/2023 & rated 95 points: A meaty, old world style Pinot with sour cherry fruit, smoked ham complemented by violets. The palate shows a fleshy structure and fresh acidity. A new discovery for me that – if performing consistently – is a must have in any Pinot collection. (957 views) | | | Tasted by Derek Darth Taster on 11/3/2022 & rated 93 points: Pyramid Valley tasting at 67PM with Steve Smith MW. Drank in Zalto Universal.
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of gentle red cherries, red flower, earth + chalk. Developing. Shy.
On the palate, dry, very high acidity, medium alcohol (13.5%), very fine filigreed medium- tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of savoury earthiness with umami, chalky limestone minerality, red flowers, very gentle red cherries that are sneakily sweet. Extremely graceful all the way. Long savoury umami finish.
Excellent quality. What a charming Zen-like wine. Like slowly sipping tea in a Karesansui Japanese garden and enjoying a languid pace of life. (855 views) |
| By Rebecca Gibb MW
Vinous, All Change: New Zealand Reds (Apr 2023) (4/1/2023)
(Pyramid Valley Pinot Noir Angel Flower Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/17/2023)
(Pyramid Valley, Angel Flower Pinot Noir North Canterbury Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/31/2022)
(Pyramid Valley, Angel Flower Pinot Noir Central Otago Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (9/26/2022)
(Pyramid Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Canterbury Angel Flower, Red, New Zealand) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JancisRobinson.com and JamesSuckling.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Pyramid Valley Producer website2020 Pyramid Valley Pinot Noir Angel Flower2020 Angel Flower Pinot Noir
Regular Price $116.00
Viticulture
Planted between 2000-2002 at high density of 11,111 vines/ha and farmed bio-dynamically from inception, Angel Flower is a steep, 0.7ha north-facing block of coarse, shallow limestone-clay soils.
15% clay, 5-10% active lime.
Winemaking
Carefully hand sorted, fully destemmed and fermented with yeasts from the vineyard, gently fermented using infusion methods for 21-27 days. Settled in tank before being transferred to French wooden cuves and barrel. Elevage of 18 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting notes
Moderate red cherry, clear and bright in the glass. Haunting aromas that are difficult to place, cherry pastries, wild forest in the summer, red clover, lavender fields. Autumn raspberries, early season red cherries, blood orange, hints of clove and nutmeg, and the warmth of summer berries, pastry and a savoury twist from the forest; long graceful and powerful; the consummate iron fist in a silk glove; sensational.
'Biodynamic. Angel Flower is the prettiest of many synonyms for yarrow, a grassland and pasture plant with delicate, fennel-like leaves and a brilliant mass of white flowers. Yarrow is the basis of the biodynamic preparation 502 and is strongly associated with mobilising natural sulphur and potassium in the soil.
Angel Flower is a cooler, more exposed block than Earth Smoke. The shallow soils and north-facing aspect here result in a more floral and aromatic wine, although the weight and shape of the palate have much in common with Pyramid’s other single-site Pinot. The team have also recently planted a little Chardonnay on these soils, recognising its potential as a great white wine terroir.
The nose here is a touch more delicate and savoury, with, according to Steve Smith, “the most pristine, intoxicating Angel Flower aromas I have ever experienced.”: cherry pastries, wild forest in the summer, red clover, lavender and a lick of hoisin. It immediately feels ripe, but from a cool place with autumn raspberries, early season red cherries and hints of clove and nutmeg. Underneath, there’s a fascinating blood orange note accompanied by summer berries and a savoury twist from the forest, while svelte tannins and thirst-quenching acidity give this a proper frame for aging. It’s simply dazzling and startlingly long, too.' - Pyramid ValleyPinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.New Zealand New Zealand Wine (New Zealand Winegrowers)South Island Noeth Island (wine-pages.com)Canterbury The Wines of Canterbury (Canterbury Winegrowers Association)Waipara Waipara Valley Winegrowers (Official site) |
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