Reviewed: 14 September 2011

I was pleased to be able to make it to the new release tasting put on by the Pannell Family. This was especially so because there were six vintages of Tete de Cuvee on tasting. My overall impression is that Picardy continues to evolve and mature as a maker and the wines have never been better. Bravo!

On a separate note, I had an interesting chat to Bill about Picardy’s continued use of corks. He assures me that since around 2005, the issues around cork taint have largely been resolved. I might explore this topic more at a later date.

As this was not a blind tasting, my points are a bit rubbery, hence the spread.

Reviewed

Picardy – Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon – 2011 (17). Lifted fruit on the nose. Think green pear with a touch of minerality. The palate is generous, round and balanced with hints of stonefruit. There is even a touch of creaminess to close.

Picardy – Chardonnay – 2010 (17.5 – 18). Nice wine this. Forward, ripe fruit with nectarine and a touch of vanilla from the (quality) French oak. The texture of this wine is a highlight, though the oak needs to settle a touch. Give it a couple of years to blossom.

Picardy – Pinot Noir – 2009 (17.5 – 18). Fragrant and perfumed, with lovely gentle spice on the nose. This is really spicy on the palate. The fruit is just starting to open up and the palate has quite expressive fruit. Excellent length and texture, with black fruit in the cherry spectrum. I love the fact that this has none of the smoky bacon characters that Pemberton pinots can get.

Picardy – Shiraz – 2009 (18+). A very pretty wine! The nose is defined by fresh white pepper. The palate has more cracked white pepper with plenty of spice. This is elegant, refined and medium bodied, with excellent length and intensity. The wine really builds and has good mouth-feel. The tannins are silky and fine, while the oak only plays a supporting role.

Picardy – Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc – 2009 (17). The most approachable of the current batch of reds. Opens with ripe red fruits and a touch of plum. This is soft, round and balanced. Drink now or in five years.

Picardy – Pinot Noir – Tete de Cuvee – 1999 (NR). Well developed, yet there is still a degree of freshness to the red fruits. The palate is mouth-filling, round and long, while the balance is spot on. A touch of smoky bacon to close. Drinking well now.

Picardy – Pinot Noir – Tete de Cuvee – 2000 (NR). Quite developed and needs to be drunk up.

Picardy – Pinot Noir – Tete de Cuvee – 2002 (NR). Lovely complex nose displaying some funky, slightly feral aromas. The palate is long, complex and beautifully developed. My pick to drink now.

Picardy – Pinot Noir – Tete de Cuvee – 2005 (NR). Much fresher, with bright red fruit. This is a lovely wine that, whilst starting to show developed characters, is still quite tight. Excellent length with some smoky notes to close.

Picardy – Pinot Noir – Tete de Cuvee – 2007 (18 – 18.5). Closed and tight, it is the mouth-feel that is the highlight of this wine. There are some vibrant fruit characters, precise structural components and excellent texture. A special wine.

Picardy – Pinot Noir – Tete de Cuvee – 2008 (18 – 18.5). Similar in style to the 2007, with a superb palate. The structure is spot on too. This is an easier wine to drink young than the ’07, but still deserves time in the cellar to show its best.