Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2022 (6 Bottles) New Zealand

The North Canterbury Chardonnay comes from two vineyards, principally Waipara Springs, where old-vine Mendoza Chardonnay grows on the Omihi clay soils. This year’s release includes one barrel of first-crop Chardonnay from Pyramid’s organic Central Otago farm in Lowburn.

Hand-harvested several weeks later than in 2021, the must fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in 20% new French oak and 40% concrete ‘Tuilpes’ for 12 months before settling in concrete on light lees for another four months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, it’s a super classy, flinty expression, with savoury cashew notes supported by ripe stone and citrus fruits tethered by underlying salinity.

“This is extremely well-made, with sliced dried apples, apple tart, flint and matchstick as well as a hints of smoke. It’s medium-bodied with lovely fruit and a light bitterness that gives complexity and presence.” 95 points, James Suckling

“Intense and appealing chardonnay with white peach, fresh herbs, citrus/lemon curd and a subtle green apple flavour. Deliciously textural wine with a silken and ethereal influence together with a contrasting juicy acidity.” 95 points, Bob Campbell, the Real Review

“Has stacks of flavour and lots of personality. Great waves and slosh of red apple, gingery spice, just-ripe nectarine, honey nut Cornflakes, sugared almonds and a strong, almost Champagne like rapier thrust of saline minerality. Whoosh! That draw and tuck of brine is just awesome and so refreshing, and so much pretty flesh and flavour hangs off it. A very complete and compelling wine.” 94 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front