Picardy Shiraz 2023

Tasting Notes

• Colour
  Deep, vibrant crimson with purple hues.
• Aromatics
  Blackberry, dark plum and mulberry, with red cherry and raspberry peeking through. Layers of cool-climate spice, aniseed, cracked pepper, violet, cedar and a subtle earthy note.
• Palate
  Medium to full bodied with real presence. Concentrated black and blue fruits sit alongside red berries, liquorice, spice and a gentle savoury earthiness. The structure is firm yet refined, with fine-grained, chalky tannins and beautifully integrated oak guiding the wine along the palate.
• Finish
  Long, dry and persistent, showing power without heaviness and a lingering trail of dark fruit, spice and floral notes.

Winemaker’s Note

Picardy Shiraz is made using many of the techniques employed for their Pinot Noir, but with Shiraz as the foundation, aiming for a traditional old-world style. The wine typically includes about 4% Malbec and 2% Viognier, co-fermented to enhance colour, perfume, fruit sweetness and overall complexity. Notable hallmarks are excellent colour, pronounced fruit flavour, low pH (without harsh acidity) and fine-grained tannins that provide both structure and elegance.

Viticulture and Winemaking

• Region: Pemberton, Western Australia

• Varieties: Predominantly Shiraz with approximately 4% Malbec and 2% Viognier (co-fermented)

• Style: Elegant cool-climate Shiraz with old-world inspiration

• Winemaking Approach:

  • Co-fermentation of Shiraz with small portions of Malbec and Viognier

  • Gentle extraction to keep tannins fine and savoury

  • Matured in quality oak to add texture and subtle spice rather than overt wood flavour

Storage and Serving

• Serving Temperature: 16 to 18 °C

• Decanting: Strongly recommended in its youth. Give it 1 to 2 hours in a decanter to relax the structure and release the aromatics.

• Cellaring Potential: Enjoy now for its energy and power, or cellar for 10+ years as the tannins soften and the wine gains more savoury, truffle and leather complexity.

Food Pairing

• Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic

• Chargrilled rib eye or scotch fillet with pepper sauce

• Roast duck with plum or cherry glaze

• Mushroom and thyme ragù on polenta

• Aged hard cheeses such as Comté, Cheddar or Manchego

FAQ Wine Terms 🧐

Why add Malbec and Viognier to Shiraz?
A small portion of Malbec boosts colour, depth and mid-palate, while Viognier enhances aroma and adds a subtle silkiness to the texture.

What makes Pemberton Shiraz different from Barossa or McLaren Vale?
Pemberton’s cooler climate delivers more lifted florals, spice and freshness, with firmer, finer tannins and less jammy sweetness.

Is this ready to drink now?
Yes, especially with a good decant, but its structure and concentration mean it will really shine after a few more years in the cellar.

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.