Pyramid Valley Chardonnay 2018

Stuart McCloskey "This is the first Chardonnay that Pyramid Valley has made from Waipara rather than its Waikari home site. Hand-picked and fermented with natural vineyard yeasts and aged in 20% new French oak barrels for 12 months before settling in stainless steel on light less for a further 4 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered and reason for the slight haze.

It’s the kind of Chardonnay that you need to be in the mood for as it demands your attention. The bouquet fascinates and unfurls at a glacial pace. Almost ‘Jura’ expression, packed with stone fruits, saline, honey, nuts, nougat, jasmine and finishes with brown butter – it feels rather grown-up and serious. Wonderfully seductive, which draws you in and keeps you sniffing for an age… The palate tips towards the ‘fuller’ side. It’s bold, full-flavoured and as seductive as Chardonnay comes (without being clumsy or overworked, which and given their winemaking principles, is as natural as it comes). Complexity keeps you hooked as does its personality and presence. You will struggle to find many wines of this ilk. Flavours lean towards the savoury along with oatmeal and unmissable saline. What an engaging wine this is. This is my style of Chardonnay and a great talking point as it’s packed with detail. Epic length. Such a treat and so unique. Bravo to nature as you have served something so, so beautiful… Drink now to 2028. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware."