Pikes The Merle Clare Valley Riesling 2023

The Pike family’s flagship Riesling is all class, especially so when sourced from a fab vintage. Impressive seamless balance on display here, not to mention, attention to detail. Lifted aromatics in apple and spring blossom with concentrated lemon and lime, green apple, slate and irresistibly tangy lemon sorbet. The Merle’s history tells us it is a strong candidate for not just immediate drinking but for future enjoyment. Acidity is the key, the kind of acidity that is pretty brisk in the wine’s youth but can be counted on for longevity. It’s far from austere or aggressive, but it is noted. It is also surrounded by enlivening citrus, apple and light herbal flavours and supported by middle palate texture. The wine runs in a strong linear progression, composed, sleek, dry and juicy through to the finish . . mouthwateringly, so.