Pemberton Chardonnay 2023

Tasting Notes:

The 2023 Picardy Chardonnay is an exceptional expression of this classic varietal, offering a refined yet complex profile that is a testament to the winery’s commitment to quality.

• Colour: Bright, pale gold with a shimmering clarity.
• Aroma: The nose is rich and inviting, with aromas of white peach, ginger, jasmine tea, and spring florals. Layers of orange peel and a hint of cracked fennel seeds add depth and intrigue.
• Palate: On the palate, the wine reveals a piercing acidity that is perfectly integrated with creamy, delicate fruit. The texture is smooth and well-structured, providing a wonderful mouthfeel. As it lingers, the finish delivers complex nuances of ground white pepper, crushed nuts, and a whisper of brine, adding a savoury element to the wine’s overall character.

Food Pairings:

• Grilled Fish: The wine’s crisp acidity and minerality make it a fantastic match for grilled fish or seafood, such as grilled barramundi or lobster with a squeeze of lemon.
• Roast Chicken: The balanced structure and creamy texture complement the flavours of roast chicken with a lemon and herb stuffing, or even a chicken and mushroom risotto.
• Soft Cheeses: Enjoy with Brie, Camembert, or even a goat cheese salad, where the wine’s acidity enhances the creamy richness of the cheeses.
• Asian Cuisine: The nuanced ginger and orange peel notes in the wine pair beautifully with Thai food, such as green curry or spicy prawn stir-fry.

Additional Info:

• Region: Pemberton, Western Australia
• Variety: Chardonnay (from Dijon clones 76, 95, 96, and 277)
• Vintage: 2023
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Cellaring Potential: This Chardonnay is an exceptional wine that can be enjoyed now, but with its impressive ageing potential, it will continue to develop and evolve for up to 5–7 years.
• Closure: Screw cap

Best Serving Temperature: 10–12°C

Technical Terms Explained:

• Fine-Grained Tannins: Tannins in wine contribute to its structure and texture. Fine-grained tannins are smooth and refined, providing a silky mouthfeel without astringency.
• Piercing Acidity: This refers to a vibrant, lively acidity that cuts through the richness of the wine, offering freshness and enhancing the overall flavour profile.
• Minerality: A term often used to describe a wine’s subtle earthy or stone-like qualities, often reflecting the terroir or soil in which the grapes were grown.

Review:

Dan Pannell (Picardy part-owner) believes the 2023 Chardonnay is the best wine the winery has produced to date, reflecting the exceptional quality of this vintage. With its harmonious balance of elegance, complexity, and ageing potential, it is a standout example of what can be achieved in the Pemberton region.

Ray Jordan Wine Review – 96 Points
The beauty and pristine nature of this great vintage shine through in this thoroughly beautiful chardonnay. On the nose aromas of nectarine and peach merge with a splash of citrus and a layer of meal. Richer notes of crème brulee and lightly roasted cashew emerge from somewhere deep in the palate. It’s a finer style yet there is sustained persistence through the palate. A delicate chardonnay with so much character and style. Love it.

Lean about Picardy

Our Story

Picardy is a leading boutique winery located in the Pemberton region of Western Australia, founded in 1993 by Bill, Sandra, and Dan Pannell. The Pannell family’s winemaking legacy began with the establishment of Moss Wood vineyard in Margaret River in 1969. Moss Wood was instrumental in establishing Margaret River as a premier Australian wine region. Picardy aims to continue this tradition of excellence. Dan Pannell, who grew up in the wine industry, furthered his expertise with a Bachelor of Science (Oenology) from The University of Adelaide.

Picardy produces a range of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Every wine under the Picardy label comes exclusively from Pemberton, reflecting the Pannell family’s commitment to quality.

The Site

The Picardy vineyard is situated on a gentle north-facing slope at an altitude of 200 metres, 35 kilometres from the Southern Ocean. This location was carefully chosen by Bill Pannell for its well-drained loam and gravel soils, which are ideal for producing high-quality cool-climate wines, especially Pinot Noir. The site’s elevation and proximity to the ocean provide cooling summer breezes, creating optimal conditions for premium wine production.

Viticultural Approach

Picardy employs a careful viticultural approach to maximise grape quality. The vines are closely planted to encourage competition and deeper root growth, and are trained low to benefit from the heat radiating from the gravelly soils. Sustainable practices are integral to Picardy’s philosophy, including the use of cover crops like clover and annual grasses, composting with vine prunings, and a non-cultivation policy to maintain soil structure and promote a healthy ecosystem.

Other practices include Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) trellising, shoot thinning, hedging, and leaf plucking to ensure optimal airflow through the vine canopy. The vines are crop-thinned at veraison, and any damaged fruit is removed before harvest. Hand harvesting ensures that only the highest quality fruit is selected, minimising handling and preserving the integrity of the grapes.

The Burgundian Clones

During their time in Burgundy in the 1980s, Bill and Sandra Pannell became involved in a significant clonal selection trial for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This trial identified several exceptional clones, including four Chardonnay clones (76, 95, 96, and 277) and three Pinot Noir clones (114, 115, and 777). These were chosen for their potential to produce outstanding wines rather than their yield.

The Pannells have since imported additional Pinot Noir clones from Corton, selected based on their wine quality. This selection includes Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, all chosen to enhance the complexity and character of Picardy’s wines.

The Oak

At Picardy, oak is used to complement, rather than dominate, the fruit of the Pemberton region. In 1998, Bill and Sandra Pannell visited Burgundy to find a high-quality barrel producer and discovered Tonnellerie Meyrieux Fils, which has since become a key supplier for Picardy. About 80% of Picardy’s barriques are sourced from this French cooperage. The Picardy cellar features oak from seven producers with various toast levels and forest types, and ongoing trials continue to refine and enhance the quality of their wines.

Read Picardy Wine Reviews Here

If you are planning a Pemberton trip, make sure to visit the Pemberton Wine Region official page HERE

If there is a Picardy Wine you would like us to order in please email us on info@partnersinwine.com.au