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; 15% clay, 5-10% active lime.
Winemaking
Carefully hand sorted, fully destemmed and fermented with wild yeasts using infusion methods for 21-27 days. Settled in tank before being transferred to French wooden barrels. Elevage of 18 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting notes
Light garnet hue. The nose is beautifully expressive, with rose petals and dried herbs leaping from the glass. Silky on the palate, it offers crushed red fruits with a velvet-like, mineral acidity. Fine tannins support this elegantly floral and savory wine, delivering great length and subtle flavors that linger. An understated yet powerful expression.
~ 96 POINTS ~
One forgets, perhaps, that these vines are now 20 years old from this vaunted site. The juggle always, with such a special and discussed place, is the balance between emotional approaches, artistic and pragmatic – maybe that’s every vineyard, but one of the flagbearers must be Pyramid Valley. It feels open weave and pretty with rose hip tea, alpine herbal elements, faint game meat, undergrowth and toasty spice strewn around the place. It slips into every corner of the palate, an attractive, sour-sweet flow of tart cherry dressed up with those savoury elements all sheathed in a web of ultra fine, silty, lacy tannin. It finishes with black tea and truffle and a building, drying, refreshing pucker. Fine, elegant, vibrant and energetic. A triumph for the variety.
- Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
