The wines of Picardy
Superbly elegant wines from Pemberton in Western Australia

Bill and Sandra Pannell were Margaret River pioneers, establishing Moss Wood back in 1969. They now own this small 5000 case winery in Pemberton, another region in Western Australia a bit further south (and thus cooler) than Margaret River. Here they make a stunning range of restrained, relatively elegant wines, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay a key focus, but also with a superb Shiraz.

Everything with Picardy on the label comes from their vineyard, which they established in 1993, and the hand-picked grapes are vinified in the winery on the property. It’s rare to encounter a range as consistently good as this.

Represented in the UK by www.auswineonline.co.uk, whose prices per bottle are given in brackets after each note.     

THE WINES

Picardy Shiraz 2009 Pemberton, Western Australia
Initially tight on opening, this really blossoms after about an hour. A really elegant, almost Pinot-like Shiraz with smooth, sweet fresh berry and cherry fruit on the nose. The palate is fresh and a bit grippy with some spicy notes. Restrained, fruit-driven and balanced, with a hint of meatiness and some iodine notes. Very stylish. 94/100 (£22)

Picardy Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc 2009 Pemberton, Western Australia
Elegant and supple with cherry and blackcurrant fruit on the nose, as well as a subtle chalky edge. The palate shows real elegance with super-refined berry fruits and a subtle, grainy, chalky, gravelly tannic structure. Very attractive and balanced with potential for development. 93/100 (£22)

Picardy Chardonnay 2009 Pemberton, Western Australia
Lively and intense with high acidity offsetting rich peach, pear and fig fruit. Pure and intense with spicy crystalline fruit quality. Textured and lively, this shows superb complexity and restrained richness. 93/100 (£24)

Picardy Pinot Noir 2009 Pemberton, Western Australia
Lovely bright red and black cherry fruit nose with a fresh green, sappy edge and real elegance. There’s ripeness and freshness at the same time, with some subtle warm, spicy, earthy notes. Sophisticated and ethereal and quite old world in style. It’s a tiny bit sweet and sour, but there’s lovely complexity here. Brilliant wine. 94/100 (£24)

Wines tasted 08/11

See also:

The wines of Andrew Hoadley, Western Australia
The wines of Amelia Park, Margaret River
Visiting Margaret River, Western Australia (series)

Wines tasted 08/11  
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