Tasting Notes:

The 2021 Tête De Cuvée Pinot Noir is a wine that showcases the unique qualities of the Pemberton region, offering a refined and captivating profile.

• Colour: Deep ruby-red, reflecting the wine’s richness and intensity.
• Aroma: A complex weave of aromas, with subtle truffle-like earthiness seamlessly merging with dark cherry and light raspberry fruit notes. The cooler vintage has imparted an extra layer of allure and freshness.
• Palate: The palate is intense with deep fruit flavours of cherry and raspberry, yet finely balanced by fine-grained oak and a slightly chalky tannin structure. The wine is elegant, with precision and focus, leading to a long, linear finish that promises continued development.

Food Pairings:

• Roasted Duck: The earthy notes of the wine pair perfectly with the richness of roasted duck, elevating the meal’s flavour profile.
• Mushroom Risotto: The wine’s depth and complexity make it an excellent match for a mushroom risotto, enhancing the dish’s earthy richness.
• Charcuterie & Cheese: A charcuterie platter with fine cheeses and cured meats works wonderfully with this Pinot Noir, allowing its nuanced flavours to shine.
• Grilled Salmon & Gourmet Burgers: For a more casual pairing, try it with grilled salmon or a gourmet burger, where the wine’s structure and fruit balance enhance the meal.

Additional Info:

• Region: Pemberton, Western Australia
• Variety: Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2021
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Cellaring Potential: This wine has exceptional ageing potential, with the ability to evolve beautifully over the next 8-10 years.
• Closure: Screw cap

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

Technical Terms Explained:

• Tête De Cuvée: French for “the best wine of the vintage,” this term is used to describe a wine that represents the pinnacle of a winery’s production, made from the finest selection of grapes.
• Chalky Tannins: Fine, powdery tannins that add structure to the wine. Describing them as “chalky” refers to the texture and precision they lend to the wine.
• Old-World Techniques: Winemaking methods influenced by traditional European practices, aimed at creating wines with a sense of place and structure, as exemplified by this Tête De Cuvée Pinot Noir.

Review:

Ray Jordan – 97 pts
“The ’20 Tête was the wine Bill Pannell was waiting for most of his life. It was a wonderful wine. But the ’21 comes along and delivers a wine of equal class and refinement, but in a slightly prettier, more seductive and alluring form, a product of this cooler year. A complex weave of aromas with a truffle-like subtle earth merging seamlessly with the primary dark cherry and light raspberry fruit characters. The palate has a deep fruit intensity, but the fine-grained oak and slightly chalky tannins pull it back to focus with precision to a long linear palate. So much promise here.”

Lean more about Picardy Winery

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

Why Pinot Noir Thrives in Pemberton

Pinot Noir thrives in Pemberton, Western Australia, due to its unique combination of climate, soil, and topography. The region enjoys a cool, maritime climate, influenced by the nearby Southern Ocean, which provides mild summers and cool nights. This temperature variation is crucial for Pinot Noir, as it allows the grapes to ripen slowly, enhancing their flavour complexity and maintaining acidity.

The well-drained, nutrient-rich soils of Pemberton, primarily consisting of sandy loam over clay, promote healthy vine growth and yield high-quality fruit. These soils retain moisture, essential during drier periods, while also allowing for proper drainage, preventing root rot.

Additionally, Pemberton’s diverse topography, with its undulating hills and valleys, creates microclimates that further benefit the grapevines. These variations enable growers to select ideal sites for Pinot Noir, ensuring optimal sunlight exposure and protection from harsh winds.

The region’s commitment to sustainable viticulture practices also supports the health of the vineyards, allowing for the production of premium wines. As a result, Pemberton has gained recognition for its exceptional Pinot Noir, showcasing vibrant flavours and elegant structures that reflect the terroir, making it a standout region for this delicate varietal.