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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 the majority 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 described as having 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.
The winemaking mirrors that of Field of Fire, yet the differences in the signature of place are apparent. The compelling 2022 Lion’s Tooth shows how a slight change in aspect and soil impacts the finished wine in these edgy, cool-climate vineyards. Combined with lengthy hang-time facilitated by the cool La Niña growing season, soil and site distinction pave the way for a powerfully built Lion’s Tooth of drive, tension and dense but nuanced flavour. The notes below capture the wine’s alluring charm, perfect pace and profound complexity.
The fruit came off the vine on 28th April and soaked on skins for two 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.