Pikes The Merle Riesling 2026
- 95
- $65
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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A balmy wine with pronounced aromas of poached pear, nashi and almond flour. Flannel flowers and elderflower bring a delicate floral lift, while soft green notes of fennel and a squeeze of lime add freshness. The wine arches across the palate, revealing its naturally high acidity, yet it sings rather than squeaks, with perfectly pitched soprano tones. Green apple and lemon drop notes are ambrosial, alongside generous tree and citrus fruit flavours. A touch of talc and cornflour lends a fine, textural grip. This wine has the structure to outlive many of its peers and will be ready to greet you again in another decade. Some poached prawns rice paper rolls will do nicely for a pairing.
Shanteh cut her teeth at Sydney’s Award-Winning Quay restaurant where she worked for over a decade and was Head Sommelier from 2018 till 2022. She has been nominated for the Good Food Guide Sommelier of the Year award on three occasions and claims that her experience as a Len Evans scholar as one of the highlights of her career. Shanteh hosts her own weekly podcast ‘Over A Glass’ with the Deep in the Weeds Network and spends her time writing for various publications and judging at numerous wine shows across the country.
