{"product_id":"2023-pyramid-valley-snakes-tongue-pinot-noir-750ml","title":"2023 Pyramid Valley Snake's Tongue Pinot Noir 750ml","description":"\u003ch4\u003eOverview\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePyramid Valley Snake's Tongue Pinot Noir 2023 is a Central Otago Pinot Noir from the Snake's Tongue parcel at the Lowburn estate in New Zealand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis Botanical Collection release is made from Abel clone Pinot Noir planted in 2007, combining whole-bunch complexity, wild fermentation and the mineral structure of loess over deep silt soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eVintage \u0026amp; Winemaking\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA La Niña weather pattern brought a warmer and drier season to Central Otago, resulting in a good flowering and fruit set. Cool nights in March and April helped preserve ripeness without excessive sugar accumulation, allowing the team to pick high-quality fruit at moderate alcohols.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Snake's Tongue parcel is 0.7ha and was planted in 2007 at the Lowburn estate. Abel clone is grafted to Riparia Gloire rootstock and farmed to BioGro-certified organic standards in its third year of organic conversion. The soils are predominantly loess over deep silts that have developed pedogenic lime deposits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit was harvested on 15 April 2023. The wine was made with 25% whole bunch, with the remainder gently de-stemmed to maintain a high proportion of whole berries. Fermentation took place using wild yeasts in open-top Nico Velo concrete tulipes for 26 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine was aged in French barrels for 12 months, 30% new oak, then blended and aged for a further six months in oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eProduct Highlights\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e96\/100 from Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e94\/100 from Rebecca Gibb MW, Red Wine Report\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e93\/100 from Falstaff\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBotanical Collection Pinot Noir from Lowburn, Central Otago\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbel clone from the 0.7ha Snake's Tongue parcel planted in 2007\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWild yeast fermentation in open-top concrete tulipes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnfined and unfiltered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e643 cases produced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eCritic Scores \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e — Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion · 2023 Vintage · Tasted: 14 January 2026 · Published: 19 January 2026\u003cbr\u003e\n“Dark cherry and berry fruits with hints of crushed stone, mountain herbs, medina spice, raspberry pip, wildflowers and earth.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e — Rebecca Gibb MW, Red Wine Report · 2023 Vintage\u003cbr\u003e\n“The 2023 Pinot Noir Snake's Tongue is a remarkably fragrant wine, with a strong floral burst giving way to raspberries, blackberries, red cherries and mint.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93\/100\u003c\/strong\u003e — Falstaff · 2023 Vintage · Tasted: Jan 2026\u003cbr\u003e\n“Aromas of cherries, rose hips, and red berries. Floral notes, hints of mocha, and cocoa.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBright garnet hue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComplex florals, five spice, gamey notes, spiced plums, cherries, cloves and wild thyme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConcentrated flavours of mineral, iodine, spiced plums, thyme and game meats. The mouthfeel is plush and silky, with a juicy, evocative structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSavoury and saline, with fine tannins and mineral length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuggested pairings include duck, goose and game birds, lamb samosa, sweet and sour pork, eel with black bean sauce and chicken teriyaki.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eCellaring Potential\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Pinot Noir is already expressive in youth, while its structure and acidity support cellaring over the next decade and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecommended drinking window: 2025-2042.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVintage: 2023\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrape Variety: Pinot Noir\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRegion: Lowburn \/ Central Otago \/ New Zealand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVineyard \/ Geo info: Snake's Tongue parcel, 0.7ha, planted in 2007; Abel clone grafted to Riparia Gloire rootstock; loess over deep silts with pedogenic lime deposits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarvest date: 15 April 2023\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFermentation: 25% whole bunch; wild yeast fermentation in open-top Nico Velo concrete tulipes for 26 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaturation: 12 months in French barrels, 30% new oak, then a further six months in oak\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduction Attributes: BioGro-certified organic standards; unfined and unfiltered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcohol: 13.5%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcidity TA: 5.0 g\/L\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcidity pH: 3.73\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClosure: Diam Origine 10 cork and wax cap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduction: 643 cases of 6 x 750ml bottles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrinking Window: 2025-2042\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Bibendum","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52318318362926,"sku":"2767499619","price":173.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/6596\/6894\/files\/2023SnakesTonguePinotNoir_shopify.jpg?v=1784181814","url":"https:\/\/www.jcfinewines.au\/products\/2023-pyramid-valley-snakes-tongue-pinot-noir-750ml","provider":"JC FINE WINES","version":"1.0","type":"link"}