Pikes of Clare Valley
Reliable wines from a family producer in Australia
From beer to tonic water to wine, the Pike family has been involved in the beverage industry in South Australia since 1886. It is now 21 years since the first Pikes wines were released onto the Australian market and to the world. From its embryonic beginnings in 1984, when the first 500 cases of Pikes Riesling and Pikes Cabernet were produced, this family-owned winery has become firmly entrenched as a mainstay of the Clare Valley. The vineyard is planted on red/brown earth over red subsoil and slate. The cool Polish Hill River is a genuine sub-region of Clare Valley, ripening several weeks after most of the district, giving the wines that extra depth of flavour and cooler climate edge.
Varieties grown are Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Merlot and others. At total of 35,000 cases are produced. The distinctive Pike fish logo can be found on all Pike wines and products.
The best known and flagship wine, Pikes Riesling, was reviewed in this column in the past.
WINES OF THE WEEK
2003 Pikes Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia, Alcohol Volume 12%
This vintage, the 19th, is still available in Cyprus. It is a dry, crisp, refreshing Riesling, nothing like the sweet or semi-dry ones. Riesling is big in Australia and mostly dry. The colour is a bright, pale, greenish straw. My first impression was a beautiful dry (not sweet at all) lemon meringue pie. Crisp, acidic, bright reflections of fruit essences such as lemon, lime and apple. That was the aroma and the palate followed through with juicy but crisp, clean and fresh fruit. There is a nice acidity and minerality, and a long finish, echoing with that tart, austere lemon. Another success!! The closure is a screw cap. Drink now, however you can age this wine for a couple more years. It can be enjoyed served at 9?C with Thai and Japanese seafood as well as English Cheddar.
2004 Pikes Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Clare Valley, South Australia, Alcohol Volume 12.5%
A blend of two varieties with a brilliant light green colour, the Sauvignon Blanc constituting 73 per cent of this wine and Semillon the remaining 27 per cent. Tropical aromas and crisp, mineral acidity is on display. There is a touch of limes, soft pear and apple; an excellent balance between fruit and cleansing acidity on the palate. Nice Sauvignon Blanc in the mouth and finish. Drink now, preferably in the hot summer months. I would love this wine, served at 7?C with a char-grilled tuna, prawn risotto, grilled vegetables, spicy Asian food and salads.
2003 Pikes Chardonnay, Clare Valley, South Australia, Alcohol Volume 14%
Traditional techniques in winemaking, including wild yeast fermentation, secondary fermentation and extended contact with yeast lees in barrel, have resulted in this varietal wine. Medium, gold-green colour, the nose is peachy combined with nuts – hazelnuts? – and cream with oak lurking in the background. The palate is soft and rich with fruity flavours and subtle oak giving the wine some extra length and complexity. Drink now at 9?C with BBQ seafood, chicken Paella, melon and proscuitto or roasted veggies.
2001 Pikes Shiraz/Mourvedre/Grenache, Clare Valley, South Australia, Alcohol Volume 14.5%
The blend of this Rh?ne style wine is 55 per cent Shiraz, Mourvedre 27 per cent and Grenache 18 per cent. Aged for 14 months in French oak barrels, it has a medium purple red colour, earthy aromas, Arabian spices and forest fruit. In a blind tasting, this wine may be confused as an old world wine; soft, rich, flavorsome palate with ripe berries, chocolate and a touch of leather. Drink now at 18?C with beef and traditional cassoulet.
2001 Pikes Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley, South Australia, Alcohol Volume 14%
Deep purple red in colour, this red varietal has lovely aromas of ripe blackcurrants, dark bitter chocolate and standard cedary oak characters on the nose. Soft lingering tannins on the plate, a touch of prunes, some leather and balanced oak. Drink now, at 19?C with char-grilled beef, lamb curry.
Pikes wines are imported by First Mediterranean Commodities and can be purchased at Erm?s wine section.
