NOVEMBER 2010

TROPHIES AND MEDALS GALORE!!

The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition results were announced overnite.

Pike & Joyce Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2008 won a Gold and 2 Trophies

Pikes Clare Valley Eastside Shiraz 2008 won Gold and a Trophy.

Pikes Clare Valley Traditionale Riesling 2010 also won a Gold.

Pike & Joyce Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2008 won a Silver and a Bronze.

Check out the website for further details.   http://www.asiasbestwinesandspirits.com/.

SEPTEMBER 2010

JAMES HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2011

James Halliday has once again rated Pikes as a 5 Star Winery.  Here is what he said about our wines...

The Merle Reserve Riesling 2009 Pale straw‐green; a more expressive bouquet than Traditionale, the palate with beautifully modulated, but very intense, juicy lime flavours and exceptional thrust to the long finish thanks to perfect acidity; every component in balance. Rating 96 Drink 2025

Traditionale Riesling 2009 Pale straw‐green; a gently flowery bouquet then a very precise, pure and penetrating palate, lime, lemon and slatey mineral notes driving through to the finish. Rating 94 Drink 2022

Valley's End Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009 Bright colour; a powerful and focused blend, with great energy and concentration to the long palate with its seamless mix of herb, citrus and passionfruit; good style, with time in front of it. 12% alc. Rating 94 Drink 2012

The Hill Block Cabernet 2007 Has pleasing medium‐bodied Cabernet aromas and flavours, the blackcurrant fruit with touches of earth and olive; savoury tannins to close. Rating 91 Drink 2015

The Dogwalk Cabernet Merlot 2007 A well‐made wine, with good balance and structure; black fruits with hints of leather, earth and olive run through the long medium‐ to full‐bodied palate. Screwcap. Rating 91 Drink 2015

Luccio Pinot Grigio 2009 Has a greater range of aromas and flavours than most grigios, ranging from pear to stone fruit to pronounced citrus; good length and aftertaste. Screwcap. Rating 90 Drink 2011

JULY 2010

PIKES CHOSEN TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA IN TRI NATIONS!

Three judges each representing Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have selected the best wines from their own country for the Tri Nations Wine Challenge which will be held in Sydney in August 2010.

Australia's judge Huon Hooke has selected Pikes 2009 “Traditionale” Riesling and Pike & Joyce 2009 Sauvignon Blanc to represent Australia in this annual event.

The winners will be featured in a series of tastings and dinners held in Sydney, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

More information: http://www.trinationswine.com/

MAY 2010

SUCCESS AT THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2010

Gold for Traditional Riesling 2009

Silver for The Red Mullet 2008

Silver for The White Mullet 2009

Silver for Eastside Shiraz 2007

Silver for Prospectors Ries/Viog 2009

WHO'S POURING

This is our Monthly guide to who's pouring Pikes wines down under.

These are May's pick of the bunch:

NSW – Garfish Kirribilli, Crows Nest and Manly  - www.garfish.com.au

QLD – Cha Cha Char-  www.chachachar.com.au

VIC – Syracuse  - www.syracuserestaurant.com.au

SA – Gouger st Café

WA – Kailis Bros Fish market -  www.kailis.com

Check out your local place and have a glass of Pikes while you are there.

Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend 2010

The 15th and 16th May 2010

This year Pikes will be hosting Gourmet Weekend over both days of the festival. Visit us for great food, music all enjoyed with a glass of your favourite Pikes Wine. 

Zach (of Melting Pot fame) and Sam Curnow will be catering for the event. The menu is below with a vegetarian option available on the day.

Smoked Pork hock and broad-bean soup
or Tuscan ‘Zuppa di farro’ (vegetarian);

Grilled pork and fennel
sausages with white bean and autumn vegetable stew;

Slow cooked Italian style lamb shank with creamy mash potato and
gremolata.

Dessert: bread and butter pudding of panettone, dried fig and
Marsala with vanilla bean custard. Coffee.

Music will be by very popular Adelaide Jazz band - Etype Jazz.

FOR MORE INFO ON THE WEEKEND - CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:

http://www.clarevalleygourmet.com.au/downloads/cvwm_gourmet2010.pdf

APRIL 2010

Vintage 2010 is finito!

We have just completed one of oureast harvests on record - being finished crushing by the end of March is very unusual for us here in Clare. It is early days yet, but the warm, dry conditions during the vintage have generally provided very good quality fruit which in turn have made wines with an abundance of ripe flavours and varietal characters.

No prizes for guessing that Clare mainstays Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet look promising, but also our Italian varietals Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese look to be of a high quality this year. Our Grenache and Viognier are showing early signs of being very good as well. We also have had our first little parcel of Savignan (Aussie Albarino) come into the winery this year. It appears to be a variety full of delightful tropical fruits and is crisp, fresh and flavoursome.

Our Pike & Joyce vineyard in the Adelaide Hills produced fruit that was generally very good, but with some variability in Chardonnay and some late Pinot Noir. Highlights were early/middle pickings of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and a couple of really nice parcels of Chardonnay. Again 2010 was a very early harvest for the Adelaide Hills.

MARCH 2010

PIKES WINES TOUR OF ASIA

Peter Bentley our Sales and Marketing man, recently did a tour of Asia.  Visiting our agents in Hong Kong, China and Singapore, Shanghai.

Whilst there he discovered some of our wines listing in great restaurants and even a local Clare Lad working as head chef in Shanghai.  The restaurant is called Fountain and they also have our Riesling and Red Mullet on the list. http://www.fountainxtd.com/

Another great place he checked out was... Vineyard Cafe in Beijing.   They have our Red Mullet by the glass and also the Riesling and EWP Reserve on the list. Owner is an English guy Will Yorke.

http://vineyardcafe.cn/home/

Another place in Beijing listing our wines is Sadler Restaurant.   List one wine, our Eastside Shiraz.

http://www.sadler-beijing.com/

Pikes is now on Facebook

You will now find Pikes on Facebook, Check us out and become a fan!!   We'll keep you updated on the happenings and special offers at Pikes and you can leave your feedback or write your own tasting note on our Discussions page. 

click here to go to our FB page.

FEBRUARY 2010

Vintage is here!!

Vintage is upon us again and it doesn’t seem all that long ago since we finished the last one.

These days with the amount of grapes we process through our winery it seems that the harvest is just completed and we are confronted with the thought that the next one is only 9 or 10 months away!

Another year… and another vintage, our 26th, is upon us.  All indications are that it will be another very good year, but it is a very brave man who proclaims this before a berry is picked.  So I’m saying nothing!  What I can say is that the viticultural season to date has been very favourable in most respects.  A cool damp winter was followed by a wet early spring which provided some much needed run off into the dam and added to sub soil moisture levels.  However a very hot period through early to mid November set new heat wave records across much of South Eastern Australia and impacted on flowering and fruit set, particularly in later season varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon.  Since then, seasonal conditions have been relatively benign, with no excessive periods of heat or summer downpours to complicate matters.  Conditions through the ripening period so far have been close to ideal with warm to moderately hot days, but generally with cool nights.  Ripening has progressed rapidly in the first part of February with our first fruit processed on the 12th February, exactly the same start date as 2009!  And if it turns out to be anywhere near as good as the 2009 edition, then we (and you) will be well pleased. 

Order On Line!

We are pleased to announce that Australian Residents can now order online via this website.  It's simple and easy to use. You can join our club and receive great discounts and benefits by doing so.

For more information click on the Online shop link above.

DECEMBER 2009

Free Freight for all orders received by the 24th December.

email :  pud@pikeswines.com.au

NOVEMBER 2009

Pikes Turns 25!

Pikes celebrated 25 years in winemaking this month with 2 days of celebrations at the winery in Polish Hill River, Clare Valley.   A tasting of every vintage or Riesling made was conducted as well as tastings of the Reserve Wines.   The weekend was catered by Two Brothers Catering who's chefs produced some stunning dishes to complement the wines.   Chris Proud, long time friend of the Pikes made a speech on the Saturday which entertained the crowd no-end.   A copy can be found here (click).

Lunch in the Barrel Store                 Neil Pike and Chris Proud             Tastings held on both days               25 years of Riesling

OCTOBER 2009

R.I.P.  EDGAR

Edgar Walter Pike passed away after a long illness on Wednesday 14th, age 82.   He will be sadly missed by all especially his family and the staff at Pikes Winery.  Anyone who visited our Cellar Door over the years will remember the warm friendly nature of this wonderful man.  Without his comittment and hardwork Pikes Winery would not be where it is today.

Neil and Andrew with their Dad Edgar

SEPTEMBER 2009

CLARE VALLEY VINTNERS PICNIC
Clare Valley winemakers will once again hold their annual Vintners Picnic on October 4th at the Clare Showgrounds. Meet the winemakers and taste the wines.  Gourmet food and entertainment for the whole family throughout the day.  For more details click here to download the flyer.

JULY 2009

NEW EXHIBITION AT PIKES GALLERY
The first exhibition from established Clare photographer, Vanessa Size, showcases a natural affinity with the environment and indicates a desire to further develop her work in a contemporary and artistic direction.

Exhibition open 10-4pm daily and finishes September 30th.

JUNE 2009

RIP BELLA
Neil and Mandy’s beloved lab, Bella passed away on Sunday 14th June. Aged 12. For years Bella would welcome visitors to our cellar door and in 2008 she made it into the Wine Dogs Book and was featured as Miss November in the 2008 Calendar. She was also the inspiration behind the name “The Dog Walk” Cabernet Merlot.
She will be sadly missed by all.

.

More good press from the UK.

You may be pleased to hear that Oz Clarke has chosen 06 Red Mullet to be in his book 250 best wines for 2010. Thresher are delighted, they are also thrilled with the Matthew Jukes Top 100 accolades for White Mullet and Riesling, and will be wanting the specially printed neck labels - you'll be hearing from me a little later re this, once I know the cost!

Jancis Robinson has also reviewd the White Mullet on Purple Pages and rated it VGV - very good value for money.

MAY 2009

Matthew Jukes Top 100 for 2009.
We have two wines mentioned in Mattew Jukes Top 100 this year - "Traditionale" Riesling 2008 and "The White Mullet" 2008.

MARCH 2009

GOURMET WEEKEND - 2ND and 3RD MAY 2009
Pikes wines this year as part of the Clare Valley Gourmet weekend will host two events over this weekend.

Saturday 11am - 5pm - a casual picnic style even featuring Italian inspired Luccio Range of wines and authentic continental style food.   Bring your own deck chair or picnic rugs.  Music.

Food and wine can be purchased on the day.

Sunday 12pm - "The Long Lunch" with Regatta's Bistro

The Pike family is celebrating the 25th year of the Clare Gourmet Weekend by holding a Long Lunch on Sunday May 3rd at our Polish Hill River winery featuring the wonderful food of the reknowned Chef, Tze Khaw, of Regattas Bistro in Adelaide.

A four course, degustation style menu has been designed to match some the best wines we produce from our estate vineyards at Polish Hill River.

The lunch beginning at midday is restricted to 100 people only and is to be held in our Barrel Shed surrounded by the brand new wines from the harvest.

The all inclusive price for this is $120/per person.

To view the menu and wines to be served - click here

We are now taking bookings/payments for this event on 08 88 434 370. 

JANUARY 2009

BEST IN SHOW!
The Pikes Traditionale Clare Valley Riesling 2007 has won the 2008 Vancouver Magzaine Wine Awards Competition - Best Light White Wine.  BEST IN SHOW!

This is what they said...

"Pikes is a heartwarming success story. It’s a family winery founded in 1984 and run by two brothers, one the viticulturalist, the other the winemaker. The winery is located in the isolated, idyllic Clare valley, an inland area north of Adelaide in South Australia where the growing conditions (cooler climate, slate soil) are perfect for Riesling. And although Clare Riesling is underappreciated in this part of the world, elsewhere it is recognized as one of Australia’s greatest wine styles—Pikes 2007 Traditionale shows why. Packed with minerally citrus flavour yet dry as a bone, it features stunningly fresh acidity that gives it an incredibly long-lasting, pure, clean finish. Clare Rieslings are built for the long haul (at least 10 years), but do not hesitate to enjoy this bottle now. It is the ideal partner for the Asia-Pacific cuisine we live on in Vancouver. "

http://www.vanmag.com/Entertainment/Vancouver_Magazine_Wine_Awards_2009

Golden Year
The Pikes 2008 “Traditionale” Riesling won a Gold Medal in a very strong Class 1 at the recent National Wine Show in Canberra. This is yet another accolade for our best known and most important wine. Our Pikes 2006 “The E.W.P.” Shiraz also struck Gold at the recent Clare Valley Wine Show. This wine is a more than worthy follow up to the brilliant 2005 version that has impressed everyone who has tasted it.

Pikes does it Greek style
Mykonas is a fantastic new Greek eatery that has just opened its doors on O’Connell St in North Adelaide and has listed 3 of our wines and our Pikes Oakbank Pilsener. Owned and run by well known Adelaide restaurateur, Sam Klementou, the place has been packed since it opened in mid December. Having eaten there recently we can only say good things about Mykonas. The Greek style calamari in particular was stunning and went down a treat with the Pikes “Valley’s End” Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008. - bookings (08) 8367 0633

Penguin loves Pikes
The Pikes 2008 “Merle” Riesling has scored a very healthy 96 points in Nick Stock’s newly released Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2009. It was the equal top pointed wine in the Riesling category. The Pikes 2005 “E.W.P.” also rated very highly with 94 points. A great result for our two super premium reserve wines.

The Pike Cup 2008
Our bi-annual Pro Am golf event has been run and won recently at the prestigious Royal Adelaide Golf Club at Seaton. The famed Alistair McKenzie designed course was at its absolute best on a perfect November day. Seven teams of four players teed it up and in the Teams Stableford event the group of Justin Cooper, Andrew Pike, Chris Proud and Steve Baraglia were triumphant by a single point. Copious quantities of Pikes Oakbank Pilsener, Pikes 2008 “Traditionale” Riesling and 2006 “Eastside” Shiraz were seen sliding effortlessly down the throats of the winning group not to mention, the runners up and everyone else who was in the clubhouse. Congrats to all trophy winners and thanks to RAGC.

RIP Floss

After a short illness, "Flossy" (one of our resident doggies) has passed on.  She was 11 years old. If she wasn't out in the vineyards with the workers she was fast asleep outside Cellar Door.  She appeared in the 2008 Wine Dogs Calander (November).  She will be greatly missed by all here at Pikes but especially by "Bella" her companion and best friend.  RIP Floss.

AUGUST 2008

Pikes Winery is awarded 5 star rating in James Halliday's Wine Companion 2009 edition.

APRIL 2008

" Pikes continues to excel in a market flooded with unbalanced plonk, we appreciate access to such great products." Brent Karlicek - LGO Wine Merchant
Brent is the wine buyer for some of the hottest accounts in Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona. Among them are Postino and Chelsea’s Kitchen.

Check them out http://www.lgohospitality.com/

Season’s 52 is a fantastic new concept serving delicious low carb food in an excellent atmosphere. They now have around 12 different locations in the South East of the US. Each of these quality restaurants will be serving Pikes Eastside Shiraz by the glass for the next 6 months.

Check them out www.seasons52.com

The Gaylord Hotel in Dallas Texas is an amazing resort. The beverage manager Mirek von Springer is quite the character. Our Red Mullet is going to be featured by the glass in this hotel starting this week.

Check it out www.gaylordhotels.com

Hi-Time Cellars in Los Angeles is one of the best retail outlets I’ve had the privilege to set my eyes on. The range is amazing. Now they have Pikes Traditionale Riesling and Red Mullet featured prominently on the floor in their Aussie section.

Check them out www.hitimewine.net

A little closer to home the iconic Sugo Mi Italian restaurant in Brisbane has listed the Luccio Red blend by the glass. A fantastic place to enjoy this wine.

JANUARY 2008

Canadian update
Following on from our Canadian report in our last Wine Club newsletter, we have just received our first order from British Columbia. We will soon be shipping some Pikes ‘Traditionale’ Riesling and ‘Eastside’ Shiraz to the lovely city of Vancouver. Vancouver is a vibrant city with a fantastic restaurant culture, dominated by excellent pan-pacific cuisine. Another great place to enjoy a bottle of Pikes.

" Pikes continues to excel in a market flooded with unbalanced plonk, we appreciate access to such great products."

Pikes in Quarantine
There are many beautiful old historic sights in and around Sydney harbour. One is the old quarantine station at North Head, Manly. This heritage listed facility has undergone quite a transformation of late, and is about to become a tastefully designed resort, complete with conference facilities, restaurant and boutique accommodation. I had the pleasure of touring the sight last week and it reeks of history and anticipation. I have no doubt the restaurant, aptly named “Q Station”, will become quite the dining destination. Another bonus is that Pikes “Traditionale” Riesling will be available by the glass from day one. Do yourself a favour and put this on the ‘to do’ list.

OCTOBER 2007

Another Gold Medal!!
Pikes 2006 "Traditionale" Riesling was awarded a Gold Medal at the very recent and also very prestigious 2007 International Riesling Challenge held in Canberra. Over 400 entries from around the globe were judged and for the second year in a row we were awarded a Gold medal for our wine and ranked in the Top 10 wines. The 2007 version also won a Bronze medal.

We think they liked it
It is no secret that that UK wine scribe, Matthew Jukes, and his Aussie sidekick, Tyson Stelzer, are Clare Valley Riesling fans, but even we think this time they may have gone over the top just a fraction with their review on the Pikes 2007 "Traditionale" Riesling....

"Neil Pike hits the Riesling nail on the head every time, and every year you hope it's going to be as good as it was last year, and every year he gets it righter than right and this wine goes straight on our list. The bioluminescent colour and unerring accuracy of this wine makes it essential drinking."

VIP Visitor at Pikes
We were indeed fortunate to have US wine journo and Robert Parker's new right hand man, Dr Jay Miller, spend a couple of hours at the winery last month. Jay was in SA for the Adelaide Wine Show as a guest judge and was "kidnapped" for the day by our US importer, John Larchet, and taken to a handful of wineries in the Barossa and Clare Valleys. Now that Robert Parker has handed over the Australian tasting responsibilities to Jay, he has become one of the most important wine critics on the planet, with many Aussie winemakers nervously awaiting their scores from the annual Australian tasting carried out for Parker's 'Wine Advocate' newsletter. Ratings above 90 points are considered Gold in the US and we were lucky enough to have two of our red wines break through the magical 90 point barrier. Jay loved his brief look around Clare and vowed to return for a longer stay.

SEPTEMBER 2007- News Updates

Glittery Gold

Pikes 2006 Riesling “Traditionale” has won a Gold Medal in a very tough 2007 Melbourne Wine Show in the Open section’s Class 28. A great result for our flagship wine up against some serious opposition. Our “Gill’s Farm” Viognier 2006 also managed a very creditable Silver medal in the same show. There are still a few cases of both available from the winery so get in quick! -  email us at cellardoor@pikeswines.com.au

Five Star Treatment

Pikes Vintners has again received a 5 Star rating in James Halliday’s recently released 2008 Wine Companion. Highlights were Pikes “The Merle” 2006 Riesling receiving 96 points, Pikes “Traditionale” 2006 Riesling getting 94 points and Pikes “Eastside” 2004 Shiraz, 90 points. On the strength of JH’s 96 point rating, Pikes “The Merle” 2006 Riesling has been invited to participate in the annual (and very prestigious) Tri Nations Challenge wine competition between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Another Mullet

Hard on the heels of our very successful “The Red Mullet” blend comes “The White Mullet”. In keeping with the original theme it is another “eclectic” (and possibly unique) blend of Riesling, Viognier, Sauvignon and Chenin Blancs. The results are an absolutely unpretentious, aromatic, crisp, easy drinking 100% Clare Valley white at an affordable price. Buy some, try some and enjoy.  For more information click here go to our White Mullet page.

First Class Pikes

The Pikes “Eastside” 2005 Shiraz has been selected to be served in British Airways First Class cabins. Should go down nicely with the beluga caviar or perhaps better with the wagu beef?? The 2005 is due for release later this year.

Dogs on Film

Visitors to our winery have possibly been greeted by two tail wagging hounds in the past. Both have now been immortalized in the Wine Dogs 2008 Calendar. Black Lab “Bella” is featured as Miss November and Golden Retriever “Flossie” was included as her “known accomplice”.

If you wish to purchase a copy of the Wine Dogs Calendar ($24.90 plus postage), contact us and we will post you a copy. Phone: (08) 88 434370 or email: cellardoor@pikeswines.com.au

July 2007 - Pikes Bin End Sale

It is time again for our biannual Bin End Sale at the winery. As usual, we will be digging into the museum and the darkest corners of the warehouse to find wines to offer for some brilliant prices. All sorts of bits 'n' pieces that are, for whatever reason, lurking about the place. Old whites, old reds, export labels, and more - there will be a good selection again. Bookings not necessary but we do suggest you get here early!!

Where – Pikes Barrel Shed, Pikes Winery.

When – Saturday 14th July and Sunday 15th July, 10am to 4pm.

For more information contact; cellardoor@pikeswines.com.au - PH; (08) 88 434370.

MARCH 2007 - Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend, May 5th & 6th.

The Clare Valley is gearing up for its 23rd annual Gourmet Weekend which continues the tradition that began in 1985.

We have again teamed up with Stella Restaurant (from Henley Square) who’ll provide food for the day.

This year we’ll have the amazing dulcet tones of International Jazz diva Catherine Lambert (and her quartet). Catherine is a well known voice and face around South Australia and we look forward to hosting (and hearing…) her at Pikes.

FEBRUARY 2007 - Pikes joins Qantas 'Mile High Club'

If you happen to be traveling First Class on your next International trip with Qantas - keep an eye out for Pikes. 'The Merle' 2004 Reserve Riesling will be poured at the pointy end over the coming months. The 2005 version of 'The Merle' will also be on board from early next year.

You'll also see Pikes Shiraz 2002 on Qantas over the coming months. We have held some of this wine back and it will be re-released onto the domestic market from April 1. 2002 was a 'great' vintage in the Clare Valley and this wine has collected numerous accolades along the way including a Gold Medal at the International Wine Challenge last year.

JANUARY 2007 -“A little bit older and twice a nice”

We recently had the pleasure of catching-up with well respected wine write Huon Hooke and tasted through Pikes Reserve Rieslings from the last decade with him. Below is an extract from his article that appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on January 23rd 2007.

“In a corner of the Clare Valley, a Riesling specialist proves an old white can be a glorious thing”

‘I got musing about aged white wine, Riesling in particular, and what a sublime drinking experience it provides. Maturation adds layers of complexity to these wines. You don’t get the same thing with Chardonnays, which are usually at their best within two or three years of harvest (France’s Chablis and some Burgundies excepted). Forget verdelho, pinot gris / grigio, chenin blanc, viognier, sauvignon blanc and most of the semillon sauvignon blanc blends. Semillon is the only real rival to Riesling in this country – firstly, for its ability to age in the bottle and, secondly, to transform and improve as it does so.

Neil Pike, winemaker at Pikes in the Polish Hill River subregion of the Clare Valley, recently showed me his ‘complete works’ of Pikes Reserve Riesling and Pikes The Merle Riesling. One morphed into the other: Merle was Neil and Andrew’s mother and since 2004 they’ve named their flagship wine after her. With the exception of the 1997 Reserve (probably due to slight cork failure), every wine was a winner’.

Pikes ‘The Merle’ Reserve Riesling 2006; 18.5/20 – ‘Fragrantly blossomy and delicate, with good length and character’.

Pikes ‘The Merle’ Reserve Riesling 2005; 19/20 – ‘The 2005 - a highly rated year in Clare – was restrained, ageing slowly; minerally, tight and lean with a wonderfully fine, seamless, long palate’.

Pikes ‘The Merle’ Reserve Riesling 2004; 18.5/20 – ‘The ’04 was bigger and more open but still fine; quite complex and with a rich palate’.

Pikes Reserve Riesling 2002; 18.75/20 – ‘The 2002 was slightly reductive with touches of quince paste and kerosene; high acid, long-term, with great linearity and potential to age further’.

Pikes Reserve Riesling 2001; 17/20 – ‘The 2001 was good; a bit broad and lacking finesse, with quince paste aromas’

Pikes Reserve Riesling 1998; 18.75/20 – ‘The 1998 Reserve was superb; deep yellow with a rich toasty, beeswaxy bouquet; rich, concentrated and very long in the mouth’

Pikes Reserve Riesling 1997; 16.5 – ‘Advanced, deep golden, a bit tired (probably due to slight cork failure). Drink now.

Pikes Reserve Riesling 1996; 18.5 – Deep golden but rich, deep, vibrant, powerful and full in the mouth with long carry’.

OCTOBER 2006 - Pikes Riesling kicking goals!!

We have had two fantastic accolades for Pikes 'The Merle' Reserve Riesling 2005 and Pikes Riesling 2005 in October. First up 'The Merle' '05 was awarded 98 points by leading wine writers Huon Hooke and Ralph Kyte-Powell in their ever popular Penguin Wine Guide 2007. Only 9 wines were awarded top marks - and along with 'The Merle' were classics such Penfolds Grange.

Pikes Riesling 2005 was awarded a Gold Medal and Top 10 placing at the Hyatt International Riesling Challenge. There were 458 entries with over 100 from Europe, which surely makes this one of the most important Riesling tasting's in the world. Enjoy the 2005's while they last and keep an eye out for the upcoming 2006 releases.

SEPTEMBER 2006 - Walking out the door!

Leading journalist Max Allen has included Pikes 'The Dogwalk' Cabernet Merlot 2004 in his 20 Great wines under $20. His review reads - "Neil Pike is really kicking some goals at the moment with his reds (we’ve known how good his whites can be for a while). This is terrific value, choc full of all the typical regional Clare Valley characters you could ask for – dark, juicy black fruit, herb, licorice and tannin – and is gorgeous with grilled lamb cutlets".

The 'Dogwalk' is also being promoted by Vintage Cellars nationally. The 2004 version has been a huge hit and keep an eye out for the upcoming '05 vintage. Woof woof!!

AUGUST 2006 - What's in a name?

You may notice that two of our most popular wines will have a slight label change with their 2006 release. Pikes Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon will join the rest of the portfolio with new names.

Just released is the 2006 ‘Valley’s End’ Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. Valley’s End refers to the fact that our vineyard where the majority of this fruit comes from, is tucked right up at the southern end of the Polish Hill River Valley. Hence, Valley’s End. Pikes flagship will now be known as Pikes ‘Traditionale’ Riesling from the 2006 vintage onwards. ‘Traditionale’ refers to this wine being our original (traditional) Riesling that was first produced back in 1985. With the addition of a Reserve Riesling (‘The Merle’), we felt Pikes Riesling was often being referred to as Pikes ‘standard’ or ‘normal’ Riesling.

After all, this is the wine that has helped build the company and it should also have its own identity! Keep an eye out for the upcoming ’06 – it’s another cracker!

JULY 2006 - New Release - 'The Red Mullet'

Pikes are keeping things in their aquatic family with the addition of ‘The Red Mullet’, an eclectic Clare Valley blend. The wine is a bit of a red herring (excuse the pun), with varieties including Shiraz, Sangiovese, Merlot and Tempranillo.

For more information click on here to access the press release.

JUNE 2006 - Vintage '06 Summary

The dust has now settled enough for us to begin to assess the 2006 vintage wines. After a warm and sometimes bloody hot growing season in Clare we didn't really know what to expect from the vintage. Thankfully after the heat wave of January subsided, the run into harvest during February was reasonably mild, punctuated by some refreshing rain nearing the end of the month.

 It will most likely come as no surprise to many that the highlights from Clare this year appear to be Shiraz, Cabernet and Riesling. The absolute suitability of these varieties to the ClareValley environs is again underlined by the 2006 vintage.While I have singled out the varieties mentioned above for high praise, by no means have we had disasters with the other varieties we work with. Sangiovese, Merlot, Grenache and Mourvedre all look promising and our batch of Viognier also has the potential to be a cracker.

All in all a pretty decent year for us here at Pikes. 

MAY 2006 - New Addition

The first new release by Pikes from the promising 2006 vintage is a baby boy for Neil and Mandy. Callum George Pike, born Tuesday, May 23rd. Mum, Dad and junior Pike all doing well!

MAY 2006 - Wine Challenge GOLD!!

The International Wine Challenge is the world's biggest and best blind tasting with over 9,000 entries this year from 35 countries. The annual event is conducted in London and has industry heavyweights Charles Metcalfe, Tim Atkin MW and Derek Smedley MW behind it.

It was the first time Pikes has been involved in the I.W.C and we were thrilled to collect a GOLD Medal - for Pikes Shiraz 2002. Only about 3% of entries receive Gold Medals and the accolade will help improve the profile of Pikes in the competitive UK market.. We only entered three wines and 'The Dogwalk' Cabernet Merlot 2004 also featured with a Seal of Approval from the judging panel.

MAY 2006 - Matthew Jukes Top 100 for Pikes Riesling

Pikes Riesling 2005 has just been named in Matthew Jukes' Top 100 Australian Wines. Jukes, a leading UK journalist and unashamed Aussie wine fan, tastes thousands of offerings each year to come up with his definitive list of the hottest wines from down under. We'll drink to that!

MARCH 2006 - Konnichiwa Japan!

Pikes wines will once again be available in Japan with the recent appointment of Vai & Company as Pikes new distribution partner in Japan. Vai is a family owned and operated company headed up by Shunji Bai who has established a great reputation in Japan by supplying premium Australian wines to some of the best restaurants and retail outlets throughout the land. Given the Japanese consume almost 20% of the world's seafood, it is fitting that Pikes wines are once again available in this market.

FEBRUARY 2006 - Vintage 2006

Another vintage is upon us, and 2006 promises to be the latest in a succession of excellent years in the Clare Valley. After a dry start to the new growing season, late spring rains topped up soil profiles and gave the vines an excellent start to the year. Climatic conditions during December, January and February have been typical of a Clare Summer – generally warm to hot and dry days with cool nights. The cool nights are due largely to the altitude of the Clare Valley - about 450 metres above sea level.

Although it has been a very dry summer so far, the vines have been kept fresh with minimum levels of irrigation – just sufficient to keep the vine leaves intact and functioning, but not actually growing. This encourages all the vine’s energy to be put toward ripening the fruit, optimizing flavour and aroma development in the process.

One of the considerable strengths of the Clare Valley in terms of a viticultural region is that all this happens almost naturally - with minimal intervention from management and this is reflected in all the wines from Pikes.

Here’s to another fantastic vintage in 2006!!!

DECEMBER 2005 – The Return of Pike’s Oakbank Beer

The Pike family’s combined tradition of wine and beer will once again be evoked, with the upcoming return of Pikes Oakbank Beer.

Great, great grandfather Henry Pike established the family brewing business in the small Adelaide Hills township of Oakbank in 1886.

We have secured the expertise of Brian Watson from Australian Independent Breweries. Brian is a graduate of the prestigious Institute of Brewing in the UK, and has experience in both brewing and brewery establishment all over the world.

The new Pikes Oakbank Beer is a traditional Pilsener style, medium to light amber in colour, fresh and very aromatic displaying citrus and fruity notes derived from super premium hop usage. It finishes clean and crisp with a hint of bitterness adding length and texture. The beer will be coming to a good restaurant and retail outlet near you soon and can also be purchased direct from us.

Cheers!!