Pyramid Valley Lions Tooth Chardonnay 2023
Biodynamic. This site takes its name from the vineyard’s abundance of dandelions (dent-de-lion—‘lion’s tooth’—in French). The original 0.4 hectares of vines were planted in 2000 at a density of 11,111 vines per hectare, with a further 2.8 hectares planted between 2018 and 2020, though the majority of the fruit for this wine (89%) comes from the 2000 plantings. The biodynamically farmed Lion’s Tooth is a steeply inclined, east-facing site on soils described as having a “nut and crumb structure and great mineral fertility”. It’s the classic limestone and clay of the area but with a higher balance of clay (30%) than Field of Fire.
Wow! That’s the 1st note. The nose is touching on exotic with mandarin, lemon zest, a touch of pain grille. Lots of backbone acid with the intense taut fruit hanging on for the ride. A core of chalkiness & super lemon & grapefruit pith – My favourite of all wines at our recent dinner, September 2025
