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 most 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 with 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.
Picked at a wincingly low 12.5 hl/ha, there are riveting aromas of flint, toast, mandarin peel and orange blossoms. Concentrated, focused flavours envelop the palate with bursts of acidity and the phenolic breadth this site always delivers. It finishes with turbo-charged zeal and impeccable length. Pyramid only made 126 six-packs in 2023. It’s a shame that so few will get to taste this enthralling Chardonnay.