Pikes Wines Riesling Traditionale 2021
- 96
- $26
- Drink by: 2021-2036
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Pikes Wines from the Clare Valley (and Adelaide Hills) are inevitably some of the most reliable in the country. They never miss. From their origins in the mid 1980s, Pikes have offered this Riesling (the name may have varied a touch) and it is always one of the best value buys in the country. If you are confronted with an unfamiliar wine list, and Pikes Traditionale is on it, look no further. This is the 37th release of this wine. The fruit comes from the family’s vineyards, plus growers in Watervale, Sevenhill, Leasingham and Mintaro.
This is one of the very best of the Riesling Traditionale line I have seen. The colour is like faded pale yellow, think of the most dilute rays of sunshine immediately after a thunderstorm. Lovely lifted aromas tantalise. Limes, spices, bath salts, a hint of Turkish Delight, and throughout, appealing florals. The wine has immaculate balance and good intensity. Seriously impressive length and a nice flick of acidity to carry the wine. This has ten to twenty years ahead. Superb stuff.
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.
