Description
VITICULTURE AND
TERROIR
The Picardy site was specially selected in Pemberton for its high altitude and well drained gravely loam soils. This is cool climate viticulture at its best. The vines are planted on a north/westerly facing slope for maximum exposure to sunlight. Vine age at time of harvest is 24 years.
VINIFICATION
The vines are dry grown, cane pruned and handpicked, low yields are encouraged. In the winery the grapes are firstly destemmed, then transferred into small open fermenters to be hand plunged three times a day during fermentation and pressed after 14 days. This wine is then matured for 12 months in new to four year old French oak barriques. Then put into 4-5 year old barriques for a further 10 months.
BACKGROUND
Picardy is owned and operated by Bill, Sandra and Dan Pannell. Picardy was established by the family in 1993. Bill and Sandra were pioneers of the Margaret River region, establishing Moss Wood vineyard and winery in 1969. After selling Moss Wood in 1985, the Pannells had an interest in Volnay’s Domaine de la Pousse d’Or, until the purchase of the property in Pemberton. Dan has grown up in the wine industry and in 1993 completed a Bachelor of Science (Oenology) at The University of Adelaide.
TASTING NOTES
We’ve not seen the Merlimont for a while, as it is only made in appropriate years; ‘welcome back’ I say. This has a juicy, plump and chocolate-y nose, underpinned by blackcurrant and raspberry. There is mulberry and freshly cracked black pepper, and very fine grippy tannins. This is a spicy, almost old-world right bank blend, and one we don’t see too many of around these parts. The flavours are long and fine through the finish, really pulling this experience out to its north. Powder fine and spicy, another exciting and elegant Merlimont release.
FOOD MATCHING: A great match for Osso Bucco.
OPTIMUM DRINKING: 3 to 10 years but with careful cellaring, this wine will cellar for 15 years
.