Pierro Chardonnay

Mike Peterkin's small production of handmade, voluptuously proportioned, statuesque chardonnay makes at least as much impact as many top reds. It's the nearest rival to Leeuwin Estate and proves once and for all that you can make a massively structured chardonnay without overdoing a thing.Jeremy Oliver

Pierro Vineyard lies in the central Willyabrup sub region of Margaret River. The fully mature ‘Gin Gin’ clone Chardonnay vines are closely spaced which increases relative humidity. The vineyard is very stony; at night the heat radiates back into the clusters of Chardonnay effectively burning off excessive levels of malic acid. Low levels of malic acid in the Chardonnay fruit means that the complex aromas and flavours derive from malo-lactic fermentation do not smother fruit definition. The wine is vinified in Burgundian fashion with barrel fermentation in new French oak, lees stirring (battonage) and lees contact. Doctor Mike Peterkin is able to combine a fastidious attention to detail with a relaxed approach. Pierro Chardonnay possesses incredible intensity, generosity, complexity and concentration. Andrew Caillard MW

Dr Michael Peterkin is another of the legion of Margaret River medical practitioners who, for good measure, married into the Cullen family. Pierro is renowned for its stylish white wines, which often exhibit tremendous complexity. The Chardonnay can be monumental in its weight and complexity. James Halliday