The Fire Gully property is one of the most beautiful and unique localities in Willyabrup. The Taoist symbols for Fire and Valley have been chosen for the label to represent the warmth, strength, fertility and abundance that this very special site offers. The aim of this vintage was to produce a light dry wine that would be delicious when young, but to still have the capacity and backbone to mature for several years in the bottle. To that end we have fermented half of this wine in stainless steel to retain the delicate perfumed aromas and youthful flavours and half was fermented in French oak barriques and underwent malolactic fermentation. The barrel-fermented component gives additional richness and softness to the wine.
The new winery at Pierro was completed a decade ago and so the changes that this made possible have become an integral part of the winemaking process. Three things have improved the aging potential of the Chardonnay: whole bunch pressing and the reduction in temperature of each batch of grapes have lowered its phenolic content thus giving it more delicacy and length; paying greater attention to the levels of dissolved oxygen and sulphur dioxide during processing; and the use of screwcaps which offer better protection from oxidation.
There is much about the winemaking process that is traditional at Pierro: the wine is barrel fermented in new (50%) and one year old French barriques; 100% goes through the malolactic fermentation and regular lees stirring (battonage) takes place during its 12 month oak maturation. Mike Peterkin remains a strong supporter of the role that the malolactic fermentation can play in improving the flavour and length of palate of the Chardonnay while battonage gives a seamless character and creamier texture to the wine.
Technical Details
Growing Region. Margaret River, Western Australia
Grape Variety Chardonnay
No recommended products at the moment.
