Pyramid Valley Springs Chardonnay 2020

Waipara's Springs Vineyard is home to a single plot of 40-year-old vines, thought to be some of, if not theoldest, in the country. The own-rooted Mendoza clone vines bury deep into the Omihi clay soils, and the age of the vines is far from the only attraction here. Sheltered by the Teviot hills from the prevailing, cool easterly winds, the site's relatively high midsummer warmth, combined with low rainfall during the growing season, makes for a unique location in a marginal climate. The set of conditions has not been lost on the minds at Pyramid Valley, which has been leasing and managing this vineyard since 2019 (without synthetic chemicals or fertilizers).
The grapes from 2020 were foot-stomped in the original shed, then whole-bunch pressed. The juice fermented wild on full solids before spending 12 months on lees before it was racked, blended and aged in old puncheons on fine lees for another six months over a second winter. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered in September 2021.

This first release shows all the exhilarating qualities of Waipara x Pyramid Valley DNA, with focused, reductive aromatics, exuberant acidity and superb, fleshy balance. Flavours of ripe orchard fruit, blossom, toasted hazelnuts and hovering salty minerals glide across the palate, stretching towards a refined, chalky finish. Pure quality. No hurry to drink here.