Tasting the 2019 Pyramid Valley Botanicals
Wellington, NZ
Tasted Friday, December 31, 2021 by HowardNZ with 116 views
Introduction
I got the chance for a bottle tasting of the four new 2019 Pyramid Valley Botanicals on release. These are the first Botanicals made exclusively by Huw Kinch since arriving at Pyramid Valley in 2018. There are tiny quantities of this vintage available – with only 60 bottles of each cuvée for New Zealand. As Nick commented, the four wines are very qualitatively similar, being best viewed as four different expressions of special North Canterbury terroir.
Wines popped and poured.
2019 Pyramid Valley Chardonnay Field of Fire 94 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury, Waipara
One pour only. At first a whiff of flinty reduction that moved into wet granite minerality with fine lemon citrus and a touch of grapefruit, crunchy green apple and greengage, nectarine and white meadow flowers. A precise, direct and ‘cool’ bouquet. On palate, chalky minerals and vibrant, energetic acidity. The fruit is Meyer lemon, grapefruit, pear and some crisp Granny Smith apple. Layered and complex. Driven and linear. Finishing long, dry and gravelly. Relatively approachable and very enjoyable now – elegant and refined with the acids in good proportion to the fruit – I think it ideally should be drunk from about 2024. At the tasting I preferred the Field of Fire over the Lion’s Tooth. However, I had the impression there were potentially more elements to come together in the Lion’s Tooth and in a few years my preference might change. On the day, 94+.
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2019 Pyramid Valley Chardonnay Lion's Tooth 94 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury, Waipara
One pour only. Some flint as on the Field of Fire bouquet then notes of limes, grapefruit, pears, green apple and touches of almond croissant, peach and yellow spice. The bouquet underpinned by wet limestone minerality. On entry to the palate, nervy, persistent and bright acidity. But fuller, more structured and a shade richer than the Field of Fire. Also, more leesy on palate, and seemingly with a little more phenolic grippiness. Lovely, tactile mouthfeel. Lemon citrus, yellow and green apples, wet oyster shell, pears and hints of freshly baked brioche. Relatively approachable and very drinkable now, it seemed more likely to benefit from a few years in the cellar (say until 2025+). Still, as tasted, 94.
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2019 Pyramid Valley Pinot Noir Angel Flower 94 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury, Waipara
One pour only. Beautiful aromatics. A bright and fresh bouquet of red cherries, raspberries, floral perfumes, thyme and fresh and dried herbs. In the mouth, fine and elegant. Bright and assertive, but not aggressive, acidity. Ultra-fine grained tannins. Chalky minerality. Bright red cherry and berry fruit. Pretty and approachable but with savoury and mineral elements adding complexity, layers and interest. Silky mouthfeel. The seamlessness and vibrant fruit hides the serious structure. Finishes long, dry and mineral. It would no doubt benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar. Preferred at the tasting, 94+.
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2019 Pyramid Valley Pinot Noir Earth Smoke 94 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury, Waipara
One pour only. The later-picked Earth Smoke has a deeper, darker fruited bouquet. Red and black cherries, spices, garrigue and violet perfumes. Intense on palate with lovely lacy, filigreed, supple tannins. Flavours in the darker berry and cherry spectrum with dried herbs, minerals, savoury nuances and some earth. The sense of more mouth presence and structure than with the Angel Flower but with similar fresh, focussed acidity. Good length. Open and enjoyable now, I sense upside with a few years in the cellar (2025+). Overall, 94.
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