Pyramid Valley Field of Fire Chardonnay 750ml

Biodynamic. Field of Fire takes its name from the type of grass that grows among the vines in this gently sloped, southeast-facing, clay-limestone plot nestled in the northeast corner of the property, sheltered by a belt of trees and a range of hills behind it. The original 0.3 hectares were planted in 2000 at a density of 11,111 vines per hectare. Plantings were expanded by a further 1.2 hectares between 2018 and 2020, though only the original 2000 plantings and 0.3 hectares from 2018 go into this wine. Field of Fire has a cooler, rockier profile than Lion’s Tooth, and though soils vary throughout the plot, there is a prevalence of shallow (10-15cm) glauconitic clays over the well-drained limestone bedrock. In comparison, Field of Fire typically shows a tighter mineral core and athletic structure cloaked by layered, complex flavour.

The fruit was picked on 29th April, a day after Lion’s Tooth, and soaked on skins for four hours after crushing before being pressed to old French barrels for natural fermentation. Maturation occurred in barrel on light lees for 12 months, followed by five months in tank before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. We won’t add much to the reviews below―Bennie and Brookes have nailed it―only to assert that this is elite Chardonnay, worthy of consideration among the best the New and Old World have to offer. Scintillatingly pure with immaculate texture and length for days.