Always happy to give a maligned grape a positive review if it deserves it. I like good Chenin. Pyramid Valley have gained a bit of a cult following over the past few years. They make wines that sit comfortably outside of the mainstream. This one’s part of their “Grower’s Series”.
The golden-yellow hue in the glass offers the first suggestion that the wine won’t be lacking in terms of upfront personality. It smells and tastes sumptuous and flush. Some enjoyable funk, yellow apple flesh, beeswax and spice. No noticeable residual sugar – the richness actually has a fascinating savoury edge about it. Plenty of phenolic pull as well. Complex and alluring work. 93 Very Good
Region: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Alcohol: 14.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $44
Tasted: March 2012