Picardy in Focus: New Releases June 2024
Barry Weinman: 16th June 2024
Established in 1993, Picardy have been quietly forging a reputation for high quality wines from the Pemberton region for three decades now. And, when judged as a whole, the current releases are, in all likelihood, the best ever released by the Pannell family under the Picardy label.
Yes, the pinots are very good, but it was the SBS and the Chardonnay in particular that really set the tone.
I can’t recall the last time that John Jens took a wine home from a panel tasting to drink at home, but such was the quality of the Chardonnay, it went home with him to have with dinner that night.
Reviewed
Picardy – Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon -2023. Grassy and gently herbaceous, with lemon pith adding complexity. The finish is firm and textured, the mouthfeel driven by lemony acidity. This is much better than a quaff, with gentle barrel ferment characters adding depth and texture. Fragrant, very well made and worthy of decent food, this is one to try if you see it by the glass. 12.5% alc, 93pts.
Picardy – Chardonnay 2023. This is a fine rendition of chardonnay. White peach and lemon dominate both the nose and palate, with subtle oak and winemaking inputs adding greatly to the package. Length and persistence are exemplary, with supple acidity adding drive on the finish. A very appealing wine that, with a few years in the bottle, should build greater depth. 12.5% alc, 94-95pts.
Pannell Family – Pinot Noir – 2022. Lighter and sappier than its bigger brothers, this is a very good quaff. But it just lacks the depth of the more expensive wines. The mineral laden finish is unusual as it evolves into sea spray-like saline characters, and this will come into its own when paired with food. I know it is a cliché, but duck confit would be a great match.13.5% alc. 91pts.
Picardy – Pinot Noir – 2022. A very pretty wine. Cherry, liquorice and spice make up the foreground, with complexity building minerality and an almost ferrous character adding greatly to the finish. This is supple enough to enjoy now (with or without food), but a few years in the cellar will see this build a lovely velvety texture and get even more expansive on the finish. An excellent pinot which is very well made. 14.0% alc. 94pts.
Picardy – Tête de cuvée- Pinot Noir – 2022. This is altogether more serious and powerful, yet magically, comes across as soft, supple and seamless straight out of the bottle. (OK, so I did use a glass). With air though, the power and intensity of this wine starts to express itself more fully. Density, structure, intensity – all the hallmarks of a fine wine. Five years in the cellar will see this start to sing as the fruit opens up and the finish starts to fan out. Again, minerality, and an almost saline tang brings the finish to life. 13.5% alc. 95+pts.