Pierro Chardonnay 2022

Located in the heart of Western Australia’s renowned Margaret River wine region, the Pierro locality, owned and managed by Dr Mike Peterkin, has a viticultural pedigree second to none. Today the Pierro is regarded as one of the finest Chardonnays in the region. Seeing as Margaret River is indisputably Australia’s premier Chardonnay producing region, this is a major honour. Pierro was the first high-density vineyard planting in Margaret River and also one of the first in Australia. Vine density ranges from 4,000 to 5,500 vines per hectare, compared to a conventional Australian vineyard of 1,900 per hectare. This was to make the vines more competitive, balance their fruit yield and promote flavour intensity.

Today there are five distinct blocks of Chardonnay on the property in Willyabrup, with the average vine age reaching 30 years. 90% of the Pierro Chardonnay is the Gin-Gin clone which has proven itself to produce the best quality wine and one that has been particularly successful in Margaret River. Each block features unique high-density narrow rows on rocky soil that slope down to the Willyabrup Brook and are orientated to the west and north. The vineyards are managed to maximise fruit, leaf and cane exposure to sunlight; minimise wind damage in the spring and to heighten flavour development in the summer ripening period. Each parcel is hand-picked, chilled, hand-sorted and gently whole bunch pressed. There are multiple picks for this wine. With the first batches being picked for aromatic complexity and acidity and the latter picked for flavour and body. All juice is settled and then fermented in French barriques. The wine goes through a full malolactic fermentation which helps achieve superior texture, mouth feel and a more refined, persistent flavour. Lees are stirred fortnightly by hand in barrel over a period of 12 months prior to blending, settling and bottling. 

This is a wine of great finesse yet impressive power, tight structure yet generosity of flavour. Ripe melon and peachy characters yet noticeable restraint and subtlety. An unctuous mouth-feel yet with taut, fine acidity on the finish. It will start to be at its best about June 2024 and will continue to mature gracefully for another 10 years. An ideal accompaniment to seafood and white meat dishes. 

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Margaret River, Western Australia
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%
Closure - Screw Cap