Pikes Wines ‘Olga’ Emmie’ Riesling 2021

Olga Emmie is the name of the founder’s, Andrew and Neil Pike, maternal grandmother. Neil left the business several years ago with Steve Baraglia stepping up to the role of chief winemaker. The ‘Olga Emmie’ is the third of their 2021 Rieslings. Granted it appears a wonderful vintage, but even so, these wines are as good as we have ever seen from them. Thrilling stuff. 

This is their slightly sweet style, reflecting wines like the German Kabinetts or a Spatlese at the lower end of the scale. It has 40 grams/litre of residual sweetness and a very low 8.5% alcohol. It is fresh and bright. The aromas are lovely lemony characters rather than the typical limes, but very appealing nonetheless. Floral notes weave in and out. There is a note like a freshly cleaned bathroom here (in the most positive sense). Softness on the palate and good length, the sweetness is undoubtedly evident. “They” say give it four to seven years. I think it will go much longer, but would be a lovely summer drink.