Picardy Pinot Noir 2023

Accolades

Ray Jordan – 97 Points

“Well, well, well. I expected the ’23 pinot from Picardy to be pretty special, and it is. Actually, it’s better than special. Aromatics are fragrant and alluring, with bright red fruits, a subtle truffly raspberry and cherry mix, and a touch of limestone nuance. The palate is simply sublime. This is pinot noir that helps define the variety in Western Australia. There’s power, effortless power, but it’s delivered with such finesse, cascading across the palate before flowing through to a very long finish”

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Picardy Estate Pinot Noir is a testament to Picardy’s craftsmanship, showcasing both the power and finesse that Pinot Noir from the Pemberton region can achieve.

• Colour: Deep ruby, reflecting the wine’s intensity and depth.
• Aroma: A complex bouquet that leads with bold black cherry notes, enhanced by a savoury, slightly mushroomy quality and delicate floral undertones, making for an inviting and sophisticated nose.
• Palate: The medium to light body supports a layered palate of lush red fruit, intricate spice, and earthy nuances. The wine’s silky texture is balanced by bright acidity, creating precision and vibrancy, while the long finish highlights its complexity.

Food Pairings

• Roasted Duck: The wine’s bright acidity and rich fruit complement the savoury richness of roasted duck, enhancing the dish’s flavours.
• Grilled Salmon: A versatile pairing, where the wine’s vibrancy and structure highlight the richness of grilled salmon.
• Mushroom Risotto or Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Tart: The earthy tones of the wine are perfectly suited to these rich, savoury dishes.
• Herb-Infused Salad & Charcuterie: For a lighter option, pair it with a herb-infused salad or a charcuterie platter with prosciutto and pâté for a delightful contrast.

Additional Info

• Region: Pemberton, Western Australia
• Variety: Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2023
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Cellaring Potential: This wine will continue to evolve beautifully over the next 6-8 years.
• Closure: Screw cap

Best Serving Temperature: 14-16°C (slightly chilled)

Technical Terms Explained:

• Burgundy Clones: These are specific clones of Pinot Noir that are known for producing wines with concentrated flavours and complexity, contributing to the wine’s refined structure.
• Decanting: The process of pouring wine from the bottle into a decanter to allow it to aerate and open up, which enhances the aromas and flavours. This wine benefits from decanting to release its sweet fruit characters.

Vintage:

The 2023 vintage in Pemberton will likely be remembered as one of both subtle challenge and expressive reward, particularly for Pinot Noir. The region’s cool-climate credentials were fully tested this season, and those vineyards who managed the canopy, moisture and site-level variation with care now reap the benefits in fruit of great clarity and finesse.

In the vineyard, seasonal conditions pressed growers to be nimble. Spring was cooler and wetter than average, pushing back budburst and slowing early growth. But by mid-season, Pemberton’s advantage as a cooler, wetter region became an asset: the moderation allowed the vines to pace themselves, to develop phenolic nuance without overcooking under extreme heat. Ripening was gradual, with the fruit hanging well into autumn and accumulating complexity in the skins.

The result for Pinot Noir is wines of fine tension and aromatic precision. Expect a lifted bouquet of wild rose petals, red cherry, cranberry and a delicate spice overlay. The cooler nights preserved acidity, lending freshness and drive on the palate, while the slow ripening nurtured depth and texture without excess weight. Tannin extraction remains silky rather than aggressive, giving the wines a lithe backbone rather than brute force.

What 2023 may lack in sheer volume it will make up for in detail and longevity. These Pinots feel built for the long haul – early drinking will reveal their fruit and perfume, but they’ll reward patience, evolving into layered, complex expressions of Pemberton terroir over the coming decade.

How We Store This Cork-Sealed Wine

You might not think about how your wine was stored before it reached you, but we do. How a cork-sealed bottle is stored can influence how well it retains its freshness, character and ageing potential.

Why Should Cork-Sealed Wine Be Stored on Its Side?

Storing wine on its side keeps the wine in contact with the cork, helping it remain moist, swollen and tightly sealed.

If a natural cork dries out and begins to shrink, unwanted air may gradually enter the bottle. This can cause the wine to age prematurely, lose its freshness and fruit character, or eventually become oxidised.

Temperature stability is also important. Regular temperature changes can cause the wine, bottle and closure to expand and contract, placing additional pressure on the seal. Keeping the bottle lying down in a temperature-stable environment helps protect the wine and allows it to develop as the winemaker intended.

Why Do Retailers Often Store Wine Upright?

Upright bottles are easier to display, allow customers to see the labels and require less specialised storage space. They are also quicker and easier for retailers to organise and pick from shelves.

For wines that sell quickly, a short period standing upright is unlikely to be a major concern. However, premium, limited-release and cellar-worthy wines may remain in storage for much longer. When you are spending good money on a special bottle, its storage history matters.

Proper horizontal storage requires more space and is less convenient for the retailer, which is why it is not always prioritised.

The Partners in Wine WA Difference

Every wine sealed under natural cork is stored lying down in our temperature-stable environment from the time it arrives until it leaves for its new home.

It takes up more room and requires greater care, but we believe it is worth doing properly. Whether you plan to open the bottle this weekend or keep it for a special occasion, you can be confident that it has been carefully stored while in our possession.

It is one of the small but important differences that comes from buying your wine from a specialist Western Australian wine retailer.

One qualification: I would only use this wording when you know the bottle has a natural cork. For DIAM, synthetic cork or other alternative closures, we may want to adjust the language slightly.