Website: https://www.pyramidvalley.co.nz/
“It’s a significant juncture for us at Pyramid Valley,” stated Steve Smith during the introduction to the tasting of the 2020 Botanical Collection. This particular vintage marked the first full production under his supervision, alongside winemaker Huw Kinch, since they took over in 2017. Initially, the Pyramid Valley team was still involved, but by the 2019 vintage, most of the production was handled independently by Smith’s team. Smith expresses a bold vision, stating, “In the past 18 months, we’ve reshaped our vision for Pyramid Valley with the goal to become leading producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir globally.”
The inaugural vintage for Pyramid Valley surfaced in 2006, a result of Mike and Claudia Weersing’s pursuit to find a site mirroring the clay-limestone soils found in prime Burgundy locations. After years of searching, they established four distinct vineyards in a secluded area of North Canterbury, securing the land in Waikari in 2000. Such soil compositions are exceedingly uncommon in New Zealand. While their neighbors at Bell Hill share the limestone component, they lacked the clay mix the Weersings desired. Mike was determined to produce his wines naturally, though this sometimes conflicted with his ability to precisely express the characteristics of the terroir. Smith reflects, “It was always a pioneering and somewhat unconventional range. How can we reorient this to something more comprehensible?”
Mike Weersing passed away in 2020, and a tribute to his legacy can be read here. It’s reassuring to see Pyramid Valley continuing to thrive under new management, honoring the vision of this exceptional winemaker.
A fresh approach has been introduced in wine authentication through the partnership with Oritain, aiming to safeguard the wines’ authenticity. Although the wines may not yet be as highly counterfeited as the legendary vintages of Burgundy and Bordeaux, adopting such technology indicates proactive measures. Steve Smith crossed paths with Oritain’s CEO, Grant Cochrane, in a different setting before considering the application of this technology to wine. Learn more about it here.
Pyramid Valley presents three distinct wine ranges. Since being acquired by Smith and Sheth, the winery has grown from its home base in North Canterbury. The top tier includes the estate-grown botanical collection. Next are the pastoral collection of ‘village’ wines, which also features single-vineyard selections. The entry-level tier consists of the colours collection.
Pyramid Valley Chardonnay 2020 North Canterbury, New Zealand
This wine is sourced from three Waipara vineyards, including a 40-year-old site formerly part of Waipara Springs. Initially harvested in 2019, the vineyard was leased starting in 2020. The wine displays taut structure, mineral finesse with excellent detail, featuring slight matchstick hints allied with grapefruit, pear, and green apple notes. It’s focused and linear, marked by a saline undertone. A very stern composition. 95/100
Pyramid Valley Springs Chardonnay 2020 North Canterbury, New Zealand
Exclusively sourced from the veteran Waipara Springs vineyard. It showcases a mineral-rich profile enhanced by vibrant citrus and pear flavors, alongside a touch of pineapple. Matchstick mineral notes are also prominent. This wine distinctly expresses depth. 96/100
Pyramid Valley Pinot Noir 2020 North Canterbury, New Zealand
The nose presents a floral, black cherry aroma intertwined with dried herbs, creating an enticing bouquet. The palate delights with supple and vibrant red cherries and raspberries, enhanced by excellent acidity and pristine fruit flavors, culminating in a refined, tart finish. 94/100
Pyramid Valley Pinot Noir 2020 Central Otago, New Zealand
Sourced from the renowned Lowburn Ferry vineyard acquired by Smith and Sheth in 2018, this wine displays a rich, ripe, and fleshy profile of black cherry and raspberry, coupled with a juicy mouthfeel. It offers a palatable density accented with spice, dried herbs, and plums, maintaining opulence yet freshness, along with a solid structure. This precise and dense wine shows great aging potential. 95/100
Pyramid Valley Korimako Pinot Noir 2020 North Canterbury, New Zealand
Originating from Bellbird Springs in Waipara, on a northeast-facing site, the wine shines with vibrant, focused acidity. It exudes purity and freshness, with lively raspberry and a hint of sour cherry, underscored by stony nuances. The wine is notably focused and grippy, with a slight reductive quality and excellent structure, hinting at significant future potential. 95/100
Sourced from Waikari, North Canterbury, the home site includes 2.2 hectares divided into four blocks, planted in 2002. The vineyard boasts 11,000 vines per hectare and grows primarily Chardonnay clones 95 and Mendoza, largely on their own roots. The Angel Flower and Earth Smoke Pinot Noir blocks feature greater clonal variety, from diverse cuttings. This cool site registers an average of 1000 GDDs annually, making it notable for its climate.
Pyramid Valley Field of Fire Chardonnay 2020 North Canterbury, New Zealand
Exuding complexity, this Chardonnay presents aromas of pear and finely mineral matchstick accents, complemented by pineapple, spice, and green apple. The palate is densely packed with vibrant citrus and green apple flavors, alongside subtle toasty nuances and well-incorporated woodiness, structured with good acidity. It’s lively, well-balanced, powerful yet precise. 97/100
Pyramid Valley Lion’s Tooth Chardonnay 2020 North Canterbury, New Zealand
This wine balances freshness and richness with intense peach and pear flavors, amplified by sharp lemony notes. It demonstrates excellent presence and focus, where the acidity adds a touch of austerity, but the fruit richness balances that beautifully. Additional layers of mandarin and delicate toast enhance this wine. It finishes with lovely depth and a hint of sweetness. 95/100
Pyramid Valley Angel Flower Pinot Noir 2020 North Canterbury, New Zealand
Grown in clay loam mixed with limestone, this Pinot Noir is beautifully aromatic, featuring floral tones with red cherries and plums, and an undercurrent of fine herbs. Its palate is plush and graceful, offering smooth red cherries with subtle sappy notes. This wine is easygoing and generous, finishing with pleasant acidity and a sweet touch of raspberry. Well-structured and promising, it remains youthful with much potential. 95/100
Pyramid Valley Earth Smoke Pinot Noir 2020 North Canterbury, New Zealand
Initially subdued, the nose soon reveals sweet cherry and berry fragrances. On tasting, this wine delivers an intense concentration of flavors like sweet raspberry and cherry, touched by an olive-like savoriness. Its purity and structure shine through, featuring silky ripe fruit and tannins that promise superb aging potential. 96/100
Some older wines:
Pyramid Valley Lion’s Tooth Chardonnay 2009 North Canterbury, New Zealand
This wine boasts a full yellow hue and emits an aromatic bouquet with tones of toast, caramel, and burnt sugar, accompanied by notes of apricot. Its palate is grapey yet intense, delivering lavish flavors of apricot, melon, and toast which collectively contribute to its rich and opulent nature. It’s distinctly crystalline with a backbone of good acidity. 93/100
Pyramid Valley Field of Fire Chardonnay 2020 North Canterbury, New Zealand
This Chardonnay exudes a complex nose, intertwined with aromas of butterscotch, honey, and toasted bread. The palate is saline and lively, enriched with flavors of apricot and spices with toasty undertones. It combines precision with richness and exhibits fine expressiveness along with a depth of apricot. 94/100
Pyramid Valley Calvert Pinot Noir 2006 Central Otago, New Zealand
Between the years 2006 and 2012, three wineries, including Pyramid Valley, shared the Calvert grapes to produce distinct wines. Demonstrating a young vine origin, this wine is supple and fresh with an undertone of meatiness alongside flavors of red cherries, plums, and hints of black cherry and blackberry. Complemented by delicate spicy tones and a splash of wild strawberry, it presents a textured and fine structure that truly stands out. 94/100
Pyramid Valley Earth Smoke Pinot Noir 2012 North Canterbury, New Zealand
A cool vintage. Wonderful aromatics of sour cherries and some meatiness, with some nice spicy hints. On the palate, sweet strawberries, some plums and a silky smooth texture, as well as a nice sappy edge. Real elegance here. 95/100