2023 Pierro Chardonnay, Margaret River

I’ve tried this quite a few times because I can’t get enough of it, as it’s the most detailed and finely tuned chardonnay from Pierro to date. It is beguiling, precise and elegant. All that is backed up by excellent fruit, integrated oak, a laser-light show of acidity with some creamy-nutty lees shimmying across the palate. And the finish – wow! Lingers long. Bravo.

97 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

This will sit alongside anything Peterkin has made in more than four decades as one of the finest winemakers in the region. It is a cracking good wine delivered with precision and power with a degree of delicacy and finesse that makes it so appealing. Incredible intensity on the nose with aromas of white peach and grapefruit with a little muted butterscotch in the background. The palate is powerful and drives with urgency through to a remarkably long finish. The oak is neatly interlaced, and the fresh acidity adds another dimension with its savoury chalky character.

98 points rayjordanwine.com.au Wine of the Year & Chardonnay of the Year

The Pierro ‘style’ was first made in 1986 and refined with every subsequent vintage. Mike had initially intended to specialise in Riesling on his Willyabrup plot, so it was a tad fortuitous that Chardonnay became Pierro's most famous wine. His vine supplier had been let down on a large order of Chardonnay rootstock, approximately 5000 cuttings, and offered them to Mike at a cut price. In order to help out his friend he agreed to take them. It was an inspired decision. 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.

2023 Pierro Chardonnay is a wine of great finesse yet impressive power, tight structure yet generosity of flavour. Ripe melony, 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. Ideal cellaring temperature is a constant 14-16 degrees celsius.

The Pierro ‘style’ was first made in 1986 and refined with every subsequent vintage. Mike had initially intended to specialise in Riesling on his Willyabrup plot, so it was a tad fortuitous that Chardonnay became Pierro's most famous wine. His vine supplier had been let down on a large order of Chardonnay rootstock, approximately 5000 cuttings, and offered them to Mike at a cut price. In order to help out his friend he agreed to take them. It was an inspired decision. 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.

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. The result is a world class white which is well entrenched in the top Chardonnay’s of Australia.

Pierro Chardonnay from Margaret River is an iconic Australian white wine that combines elegance and power, showcasing the remarkable terroir of the region and Pierro’s dedication to winemaking excellence. Located in Western Australia’s famed Margaret River, Pierro is renowned for crafting Chardonnays that are rich, complex, and beautifully balanced, drawing inspiration from Burgundian techniques while capturing the vibrancy of the local climate.

The wine opens with enticing aromas of ripe stone fruits like peach and nectarine, along with citrus hints of lemon and grapefruit, intertwined with subtle notes of almond, vanilla, and toasted brioche from oak aging. On the palate, it’s full-bodied yet refined, with a creamy texture and flavors of white peach, pear, and a touch of butterscotch. The wine’s bright acidity provides lift and balance, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish with a lingering hint of spice and hazelnut.

Perfect for pairing with dishes such as roast chicken, creamy pastas, shellfish, or mushroom risotto, this Chardonnay is versatile and food-friendly, ideal for both casual and fine dining. With its complexity and depth, it also rewards cellaring, allowing it to develop further layers and nuances over time.