Rarely is a wine region so defined by one producer as Pemberton is by Picardy Wines. Only identified as a potential region for vine growing in the 1970’s, Pemberton can now boast over 50 wine producers, with Picardy at the forefront.
Founded by Bill and Sandra Pannell, who in 1969 had founded Moss Wood, Picardy was to be a look towards both Burgundy and Bordeaux with an emphasis on Pinot Noir. Western Australia is not exactly synonymous with Pinot, but Picardy’s is one of Australia’s best and their efforts with right bank Bordeaux-styled wines has convinced many of their potential.
Dry grown on loam and gravel soils, Pemberton is cool, the Southern Ocean only 30kms away and at an altitude of 200 metres. Great wines may be the result of a matter of metres and in the case of Picardy you can taste the warmth of the sun and the chiseling, invigorating coolness of the sea. Rarely do you taste wines that run the gamut of available flavours and textures. The whites are chiselled and deep, full of ripe luxurious fruits, creamy textures, tingling acidity and crashing minerals. The reds possess high toned red fruits and deep black, blue and hedge fruits. Tannins, one of last frontiers in Australian wine, are refined, etched, cutting and framing. Quite simply, one of Australia’s greatest wine producers.
Picardy Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2022
Essentially Sauvignon Blanc, with only a small proportion of Semillon that lifts, nips and tucks the palate. Bright and alluring aromatics of lime, preserved lime, salt, fresh herbs, passionfruit, pineapple and blackcurrant. So juicy and plump, what a lovely curvy shape, yet spicy, tense and chiseling acidity. I almost never drink SSB’s, but this is absolutely delightful, deep and invigorating.
One of the most beautiful Chardonnays tasted in 2022. Incredibly complex and layered with aromas of peaches, white and yellow nectarine, grapefruit, lime, caramel and sage. Tight, tense and coiled yet with abundant plump citrus and stone fruit, grilled nuts, cream, green apple, jasmine, honey and salt. This has absolutely everything, laser like acidity piercing the wine’s natural curves, and the most subtle green olive phenolics holding the palate, unyielding. What a wine, what a bargain! Chablis, the Maconnais and Cote d’Or rolled into one revelatory bottle of Australian Chardonnay.
At once pretty, haunting and deep. Intense aromas of tangy red fruits, dark cherry, rhubarb, spiced plum, geranium and cassis. Very deep layered flavours, pure, precise, the fruit buoyed by fine purring tannins, subtle oak and abundant natural acidity. So long in the mouth, supple, the flavours mouthcoating, rich and ripe yet bright and invigorating. Light and shade, lavish, yet discreet, elegant, but with persistent gripping power. Transfixing Pinot Noir from a great site and great producer.
