2020 Pyramid Valley 'Field of Fire' Chardonnay

Place: North Canterbury, NZ

Variety: Chardonnay

Farming: Biodynamic

Words from the importer, Bibendum:

Named after the type of grass growing in the vineyard, this densely planted Chardonnay site sits on a southeast-facing, clay-limestone slope, which has been farmed biodynamically from the beginning. Although recently expanded by one hectare, the original plantings cover only a quarter of a hectare. Like its three sibling vineyards, it’s a site farmed to Grand Cru Burgundy standards, or higher. Fire is a cooler, rockier site than the Lion’s Tooth vineyard and the wine typically shows a tighter mineral core cloaked by layered, complex and fleshy fruit.

The nose has a complex medley of fresh and pithy stone fruits, saline fringes and toasted hazelnuts alongside a wisp of smoky reduction. Driven by that tensile acidity, the powerful and densely packed palate combines lightness and breadth, flowing seamlessly through flavours of lemon curd, hazelnuts and a sourdough maltiness before finishing with great length and precision. It’s already a stunning Chardonnay and has everything in place to blossom over the next decade.