2020 Pierro Chardonnay

Owner and manager of Pierro Estate, Dr Mike Peterkin, has a viticultural pedigree second to none. Besides making one of Margaret Rivers best Chardonnay’s, Mike also produced the first Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blend in Australia.
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.
Brilliant pale straw colour with distinct highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Nosing reveals a kaleidoscopic like range of aromatics with white peach and nectarine scents infused with gun flint intermingling with biscuity oak, citrus and faint spicy butterscotch. Rich yet refined and beautifully poised the palate is flooded with white peach and nectarine fruits which overlay a back drop of biscuity oak, subtle roasted almond, spicy nougat and gun flint. Superb power and depth finishing gently creamed and very long.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews…..
The intensity of this super chardonnay was evident the moment I screwed the top off. Wow. This captures so much of the character of this excellent, small Margaret River vintage. It's delicate yet it has so much power driving through the palate. Butterscotch and white peach with an edge of nectarine work in harmony. The oak treatment is excellent, providing such control. Mike Peterkin has been making great chardonnay for years, but this one might just be the best yet.
98 points
Ray Jordan

Apparently you pronounce the name Peterkin as Peter-kin, though I much prefer Peh-turr-kin. I wish I was called Peterkin. Much better, and rounder, and more fun to say, than the monosyllabic ‘Walsh’. Peterkin. PETERKIN

I’d say the best Margaret River Chardonnay wines combine richness of flavour and power, with fresh acidity. Well, that’s what you have here. All the stone fruit, ripe pear, nougat, hazelnut and spice, with subtle struck match, and maybe a sizzle of grapefruit. It has a slippery glycerol feel, but pulls tight and flinty, a spiced honey biscuit thing happening too, oatmeal, and a crisp long finish of superb length. Lovely. Powerful, But kind of calm too. And soothing. Drink 2021-2027+
96 points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front