Pikes Il Premio Sangiovese 2023
- 93
- $65
- Drink by: 2026-2034
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Always fascinating to be able to try the same wine from different vintages and Pikes have released both this and the subsequent vintage, 2024, to enable wine lovers to do just that. From a single vineyard in the Clare Valley, specifically the Polish Hill River sub-region, fermentation was with native yeasts in small open fermenters with hand plunging. Maturation was for eight months in older French oak barriques. The fruit comes from the oldest block of Sangiovese, E5, in the family portfolio, which was planted in 1993. Pikes have more than three decades of experience with this Italian favourite, but it is only in recent years that they have elevated it to their Reserve status, believing that the wines are now deserving of this. No argument from me. Crimson in colour with a garnet rim, the nose offers an array of aromas including wild raspberries, spices, bay leaves, cherries, dried herbs and a range of red fruits. There is juicy acidity here, with a seamless structure. The wine has focus and energy, finishing with sleek tannins. An offering of decent length, this is a fine example of a local Sangiovese and will provide pleasure for the next six to eight years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
