Wines
from Pikes Vineyards, Clare Valley, South Australia
On the 27th of May 2008 I attended a wine tasting
evening organised by Harvest Off Licence. These ad
hoc organised events provide a great opportunity to
taste a variety of wines and learn from those working
at the cellar door.
On this occasion Peter Bentley presented 8 wines
from Pikes, premium winemakers & vignerons from
the Clare Valley in South Australia.
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The
well crafted wines produced by Pikes are nothing less
than one would expect from the vineyard that counts
Andrew Pike (a former senior viticulturist from Penfolds)
amongst its owners – that it not to discredit
the his brother and the other owner, Neil Pike, a famous
wine maker in his own right.
I was familiar with some of Pikes offerings before
this tasting, in particular a bottle of the Pikes
Shiraz 2003 went down an absolute storm with my in-laws
last Christmas. Equally the rest of range presented
by Peter at the tasting showed very well. The terroir
of the cool climate Clare Valley really does come
through in the wines as while there is good concentration
and ripeness to the fruit the cooler climate has ensured
that all of the wines maintain good levels of acidity
and balance.
Bearing in mind that all of the whites presented
were unoaked and all of the reds spent time in French
oak, the following are a my notes from Peter’s
fun and informative presentation:-
White Wines:
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1. Pikes Riesling
2006, Clare Valley, Australia [Under Screwtop]
Straw coloured, intensely aromatic wine with an excellent
nose of lemons, limes, and grapefruit. The wine smells
refreshing, crisp and dry. The lemons and limes really
come through on the palate, as does the excellent levels
of acidity. The finish would be medium to long in length.
Overall this was a wine that I really enjoyed and it
would be excellent with salads or some asian seafood
dishes.
Robertfranciswine – 90 Points
Price - €17.50 |
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2. Pikes Sauvignon
Blanc/Semillon 2005, Clare Valley, Australia [Under
Screwtop]
This is an unusual blend for the Clare Valley, the
Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend being more popular amongst
producers in Margaret River. I was slightly concerned
by the vintage (2005), as I would usually opt for a
younger version of the blend such as the 2006 and 2007
currently available from Margaret River. However, my
fears were unfounded. While the nose was not as pungent
as the Riesling there were some definite aromas of green
fruits and citrus. Similarly to it’s Margaret
River counterparts, the Semillon is added to broaden
and liven up the wine. It also provides good backbone
and structure. The wine was perhaps starting to show
some bottle age with the citrus flavours starting to
marmalade a touch. Overall the wine had a fantastic
weight to it. Very good solid effort, which would be
lovely with some barbecued prawns.
Robertfranciswine – 88 Points
Price - €16.50 |
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3. Pikes Viognier
2004, Clare Valley, Australia [Under Screwtop]
This wine literally filled the room aromatically.
The aromas of apricot, orange, white peach, and honeysuckle
come jumping out of the glass. Viognier is a difficult
varietal to grow. In fact, this particular wine is not
even made every year.
There is a fine line between having unripened fruit
and over the top alcohol levels. However, this Viognier
has stepped up to the line and balances brilliantly
on it. This is an excellent new world Viognier –
on the palate all the stone fruits come through and
there is excellent acidity. It is in no way flabby or
off balanced. I was very surprised as to how good this
wine was, and it was my pick of the whites that we tasted.
Roberfranciswine – 90+ points
Price - €19.99
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Red
Wines: |
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1. Pikes Luccio
Sangiovese 2004, Clare Valley, Australia
[is actually a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet,
and Merlot]
Nice garnet, black red colour to the wine. On the nose
there were blackfruits, cherries, and some spice.
On the palate, there are some nice blackfruits, cherries,
and good acidity that one would expect from Sangiovese.
The mid palate of this wine was good with the blackfruits
and the spice really coming through. This wine didn’t
blow me away, but represents good midweek pizza/pasta
wine – a good solid but not spectacular wine.
Price - €14.99 |
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2. Pikes “Dogwalk”
Cabernet/Merlot 2005, Clare Valley Australia
Really nice colour to this wine – dark black/purple.
On the nose, the cabernet really comes through –
blackberries, blackcurrants, some chocolate and spice.
The fruits are sweet, ripe and lush with good concentration.
This wine is medium bodied, with excellent balance and
soft tannins. A very good example of a Cabernet/Merlot
blend - ideal for a dinner party type scenario as it
has enough complexity to keep the wine buff at the end
of the table happy! This wine could be drunk by itself,
but a rack of lamb would go down an absolute treat with
it.
Robertfranciswine – 88 Points
Price - €16.50 |
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3. Pikes Red Mullet
2005, Clare Valley, Australia
There is a lovely deep black red colour to this wine.
The nose and fruit is a little softer than the Dogwalk
due to the blend that is on show here – Shiraz,
Tempranillo, Mouvedre, and Grenache. The wine smells
ripe and sweet with darker colour berries.
The Mourvedre is what makes this wine in my opinion.
While there is only a small amount of it (approx 8%)
it adds a whole new dimension to the wine. There is
almost a mushroomy, forest floor smell to the Mourvedre.
On the palate it has juicy red and black fruits, raspberry
and blackcurrant mostly, with the forest floor/mushroom
in the background. The wine is very well balanced, has
a good finish. This was my pick of the red wines, based
on the quality/price ratio.
It may be drunk on its own, with simple lighter styled
red meat dishes, or a with a nice steak pie.
Robertfranciswine – 90 + Points
Price - €12.99
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4. Pikes Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvedre
2002, Clare Valley, Australia Huge black
colour to this wine, almost oil like in its intensity.
On the nose
there are ripe blackfruits, liquorice, and spices. An
Australian twist on a Rhone Valley classic, this wine
has good fruit concentration and balance yet again.
The Mouvedre, this time 30% of the blend, once again
adds lovely extra dimensions to the wine, while the
Grenache helps to soften out the wine and provide additional
colour. On the palate, the fruits are ripe, lush with
the Shiraz characteristics of blackberries, and chocolate
being focused and to the front. The wine has a very
nice mouthfeel, good balance and soft tannins. A very
enjoyable wine that would be excellent with a warming
casserole or stew.
Robertfranciswine – 89 Points
Price - €16.99 |
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5. Pikes Shiraz 2003,
Clare Valley, Australia
There is a fantastic colour intensity to this wine,
a really lovely reddy purple colour – almost like
ribena. On the nose there are ripe blackcurrant, blackberries
and eucalyptus. The wine really does smell fresh, clean
and very appealing. On the palate, the fruits are focused,
warm and the oak is not overpowering but well integrated
with the wine. The tannins are present but not off-putting
or overpowering.
This wine is medium bodied, and has good finish. I
really enjoyed it with roast turkey last year. The sweetness
of the shiraz went fantastically well with Christmas
dinner and, at this price, it is one that wont blow
your holiday budget either!
Robertfranciswine – 89 Points.
Price - €19.99 |
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