Pikes Los Companeros Shiraz Tempranillo 2023
- 93
- $26
- Drink by: 2026-2034
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Spanish for the companions (I suspect that even those of us with el poco Espanol could have guessed that), these two grapes, Shiraz and Tempranillo, do work wonderfully well together. The team claim it is unique to Pikes and while I’m not quite so sure of that, it is certainly not a common combination. More wines like this and it may become an awful lot more so. The split is 90% Shiraz and 10% Tempranillo. Maturation is for a year and a half in older French oak. Deep blood red with a russet rim, the nose exhibits notes of plums and cherries, smoked meats, dried herbs, a hint of tomato bush, fennel and coffee grinds. The palate sees the savoury characters of the smoked meats and mushrooms move more to the fore. A soft and supple texture through to very fine powdery tannins and a finish that lingers attractively, there is a lot to like here. Enjoy this delicious blend over the next 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.
