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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