2023 Pyramid Valley Field of Fire Chardonnay

96 POINTS

Christina Pickard - Wine Enthusiast

From a magical limestone-and-clay block of biodynamic farmed vines high in North Canterbury, this vintage of Field of Fire is rich and powerful while maintaining poise and pedigree. There's nougat and cashew woven with subtle citrus and melon fruit, with a core of something smokier, more earthbound. A through line of acidity keeps the palate tightly reined, like a river racing over stones. Complex, nuanced and still oh-so-young, this should age beautifully likely for several decades.

95 POINTS

Emma Jenkins MW - Decanter

An absolutely gorgeous nose. Spring flower meadow freshness, layered with waxy lemons, apple, white flowers, cream, fine herbs, a touch of flint and wet stone. Dry, savoury palate, very delicate and lemony with a saline energy and touch of smokiness. Filigree texture, all finesse and silk. A more rounded gentle persona compared to the taut, linear Lion’s Tooth sibling. Just 360 bottles made, around a quarter of normal volume due to a late spring frost. Biodynamic.

95 POINTS

Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion

Frosts meant that there was only a single barrel of the FoF Chardonnay in '23. It's a finely aromatic wine. Taut with lemon, pear and apple fruits cut with oatmeal, struck flint, clover blossom, chalk and grilled hazelnuts. Chalky vibes abound. There's a light phenolic twist of texture and a vivid sapidity and focused carry on the palate, with a citrus-peel expression right on the exit and a slow ache of umami. Chablis-esque, almost.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

A textural, well-crafted and poised chardonnay displaying sweet lemons, apples and warm spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Well defined and inspired, with a precise stream of crunchy tannins, fresh acidity and a long, zesty finish. From biodynamically grown grapes.

93 POINTS

Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous

Just one barrel of the 2023 Chardonnay Field of Fire was made. Spring frosts wiped most of the crop out before the season had a chance to get going. While this is oaked, its fruit profile reminds me of the cool wines of Chablis. This is a firm, focused, fledgling of a Chardonnay. It has a lightly creamy mid palate, but what's most evident is the corset of powerful acidity that leaves a sensation that reminds me of wringing out a wet towel. The 2023 has real push and pull tension, with apple and pear fruit notes meeting integrated touches of brioche and hazelnut. Perhaps not the longest Field of Fire, but this is still in its cocoon, and when it turns into a butterfly, this may become more extended.