Pyramid Valley Pastures Collection Chardonnay 2020

Stuart McCloskey "The lemon golden hue is a glorious sight. Equally, I love the viscosity, a light oil slick, as I swirl the wine around in my glass. The bouquet is incredibly complex and unfurls to crushed rock, chamomile, confit lemon, whispers of lemon thyme, crisp apple skins (baked too), a kiss of orange blossom and lime zest. There’s real pedigree which brings one’s olfactory senses to attention. In short, shoulders back as you know this is going to be very good. The palate-feel takes seduction to another level as it glides effortlessly across my palate. The fruit, the oak and the acidity are balanced perfectly. Matthew (Jukes) is spot on with, “texturally phenomenal,” - a seamless gloss of silk dances her magic. It really is something to behold. Flavours are very much aligned with the aromatics along with a little fresh ginger and lemongrass. Gobsmackingly beautiful, which really doesn’t do it justice. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware (highly recommended to achieve the ‘maximum’ enjoyment).  Hand-picked and fermented in French oak with natural vineyard yeasts. Cellared for 18 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Drink now (I could drink this everyday and not tire of the repetition) to 2030++. By far the most delectable Chardonnay of 2024 if not the past 18-months… This is all we have and there’s no more available (we’ve asked, twice!)." 

Matthew Jukes “This wine draws on fruit from three properties, all in Waipara. Again, this is a texturally phenomenal wine. Steve and Huw don’t like fining, so there is buoyancy and traction here that breeds stunning weight and a modicum of fruit exoticism. Any exuberance is tempered by raspy, saline acidity that snaps the palate back to order, makes the mouth water and balances the pliant fruit perfectly. This cunning acid line allows this wine to play with more fruit weight and depth than might ordinarily be the case.”