The Auswine Forum

This is the red counterpart of the famous Pierro Chardonnay (Margaret River). The first time I went to Pierro cellar door was around 1992, and even then, the cab blend was the lesser light.

The strange name is derived from Pierro's Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blend, which has always had a Little Touch of Chardonnay (LTC), or more classically been 'Le Trois Cuvee' - so still SSB with a tad of Chardonnay. Devil's Lair Fifth Leg has the same components, but in a more commercial style.

These days, the Pierro Chardonnay remains a benchmark, and goes for $70 a bottle, while the LTCf (in this case a Cabernet Merlot blend with a Little Touch of Cabernet Franc) has remained around half that price. I got hold of a bottle of this, as I have a fondness for full-bodied reds that have the 'lift' you get from a touch of Cab Franc (well, Bordeaux blends for example).

We're talking the 2005 vintage (a pretty good one in MR) and I suspect I have opened this at least three years too early. It has some depth from the cabernet, and it fills out the middle palate with the Merlot, and it has a little of the fruit lift I mentioned earlier from the Cab Franc. It's there, without blowing me away.

My impression at the moment is that - yes, it is a good wine, and it even has some balance - but I'm not convinced it will get a whole lot better. However, I'm considering getting a couple more to se how it goes over another year or three. A contradiction in terms? Perhaps.

That's just my reaction to the wine. If you find it much cheaper than $30 a bottle, then give it a go.

Cheers

Allan

Waiter friend wrote -This is the red counterpart of the famous Pierro Chardonnay (Margaret River). The first time I went to Pierro cellar door was around 1992, and even then, the cab blend was the lesser light.

Hey Alan you might find Pierro do a Reserve Cab Merlot around $65 which is the brother to the Chardonnay. Ltcf is the brother to Ltc and has only been released twice.

Thanks Jamie - you're perfectly correct - although only since the introduction of the Reserve CM - the LTCf has been around for as long as I have been drinking Margaret River wines (although I think it has been labelled as 'Cabernets' last century). Originally, there was just the one red.

Cheers

Allan

waiters friend -while we are on the Pierro subject, did you by any chance taste the current release of the chardonnay, thinking of buying a few on historical speck, but personal tasting notes or thoughts are much more reliable.

Jamie

JamieH wrote:waiters friend -while we are on the Pierro subject, did you by any chance taste the current release of the chardonnay, thinking of buying a few on historical speck, but personal tasting notes or thoughts are much more reliable.

Jamie

While not Waitersfriend I can say that the 07 was excellent at cellar door last month. Not as tight as the 06 but definitely one of their better vintages. Worth buying if you like the big, worked styles (the partner does!)

cheers

Carl

Hi JamieH

I haven't tried the Pierro Chardonnay since the 2005. I must admit there is a little history here - a year or so ago, I poured two bottles of 1999 down the sink (not corked - just past it) in the same night, and the prices of MR chardonnays like Pierro and Cullen are getting to the point where I can't afford to take the risk any more. $70 a bottle? Show me a Montrachet.

There are so many other very good MR Chardonnays (Voyager as the prime example) and I'm also really getting into Yarra Valley and Mornington chardonnays as alternatives. 'Worked' Chardonnays (at the higher end) seem to be the go right now, and I'm delighted to see it. Riesling needs to be pure and unsullied, but Chardonnay without wood (and working) seems a waste of good fruit.

Oh dear. This might spark some opinionated debate

Cheers

Allan

Duplicate post - so much for broadband

I have had the 07 and while it is probably not the best Pierro Chard it is still very very good and for my taste much better than the Art series from Leeuwin. The complexity and full flavour is all there and it is a fine drink. I am hoping it will develop further over the next 10 years as many other Pierro's have for me. 2001 and 2003 probably are better than the 07 but time will tell.