Pikes The Vanguard Cabernet 2021
- 95
- $120
- Drink by: 2024-2039
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Always very exciting to see a brand new wine from a top-notch producer, especially when it comes in as their flagship. From the brilliant 2021 vintage, this is a tribute to co-founder Andrew Pike, the viticulturalist behind the operation, and all of the work he has done for the estate, the region, and other regions beyond. Only fifty dozen made, so jump in. A barrel selection from three top blocks of estate Cabernet which were planted between 1996 and 2009, the wine saw ten months in older French barriques. A dark maroon hue with a magenta rim, there is an appealing use of oak here, which is integrating well. The nose exhibits notes of blackberries, chocolate, spices, aniseed, tobacco leaves, graphite, smoked meats and cocoa powder. This is a finely constructed wine with immaculate balance and excellent length, seamless, with the silkiest of tannins and good juicy acidity. Enjoy it for the next eight to fifteen years, likely longer.
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.
