2022 Pyramid Valley Snake's Tongue Pinot Noir
Grape
Pinot Noir
Its Origins
As described in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate by Lisa Perrotti-Brown: "You may think you know New Zealand wines but I can assure you that until you have tasted Pyramid Valley, you have no idea. When I first sampled the earliest releases from this left-of-center producer... there was a spark of “otherness” about the wines that was so unlike anything else in New Zealand." From their website: "Mike and Claudia Elze Weersing spent 15 years searching the world to find the perfect place to grow grapes. In 2000, they purchased the plot of land near Waikari, that we now call home. German-born and America-raised Claudia, was a committed biodynamicist and the guiding spirit on the land in the early years of Pyramid Valley. Mike studied oenology and viticulture in Burgundy and worked in vineyards and cellars across Europe, honing his precise vision and practice for spectacular winemaking. Together, Mike and Claudia created remarkable wines for close to 20 years that have been recognised the world over. Fast-forward to 2017, when good friends Steve Smith and Brian Sheth realised their long-held vision of creating a wine dream together. That dream was to craft impeccable wines and inspiring experiences they could share. Steve and Brian were honoured to take on the legacy of Pyramid Valley and craft their own family of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines."
What The Critics Say
94/100 RobertParker.com, Erin Larkin
"The 2022 Snake's Tongue Pinot Noir won't be released until October 2024, so this is definitely a pre-release tasting, but it’s a wonderful insight into what is to come. There’s petrichor, asphalt, graphite, black tea, satsuma plum, cherry flesh and red apple skins. This has the tannic density of the 2021, but there is far more restraint and delicacy in the fruit profile. I love the way this performs in the mouth, with dried ginger, blood orange, red pepper, a hint of sesame seed and orchard fruit. A superb wine of presence and delicacy. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." Drink 2024 - 2036
94/100 The Wine Front, Mike Bennie
"It’s a fleshy, deeply flavoured pinot noir with an elegant bent under its more muscular frame. Dark choc-raspberry, liquorice, cranberry, aniseed, some garam masala spice elements, a bit of warm game meat and some rosy, rose hip tea elements. The wine quite grippy and drying in tannin, a little new leather-meets-river-pebble feel here. Bold and savoury hand-in-hand, though the dryer frame may challenge some for expectations. The second release of this wine. From the lower terrace on the Lowburn, Central Otago plantings of Pyramid Valley/Lowburn wines – Manatu Estate is the name of the property." Drink 2024 - 2035
17/20 Jancis Robinson MW
"From a lieu-dit within their Manata vineyard in Lowburn. Botanicals collection. Cask sample. Less deep than the 2021 because of the vintage. Very fragrant. Herbal and lively and transparent. Really beautifully balanced. Even delicate! (JR)." Drink 2024 - 2030
| Variety | Pinot Noir |
|---|---|
| Region | Central Otago |
| Closure | Cap |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Maturity | 2024 - 2035 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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