PIKES LUCCIO SANGIOVESE BLEND 2006
The Italianness of this wine is apparent as soon as you open it. You find yourself wafting across the Mediterranean contemplating your next meal, be it spaghetti puttanesca or lasagna or even osso buco, this is a foodie’s wine, one that has been well blended with Merlot and Cabernet and one that has benefited from its origins being of the Clare Valley. Soft fleshy ripe yet also elegant and with a tailored stature. 89/100
Paul Ippolito Five Minute Wine Rush - 31/01/10
PIKES LUCCIO SANGIOVESE BLEND 2006
Deep ruby red in colour. A hint of roses on the nose with thin aromas of clove and cinnamon….Grainy tannins on the palate with good structure overall. Flavours of dried fruit, spice and cherry with a warm finish.
Australian & NZ Wine Industry Journal, October 08
PIKES LUCCIO SANGIOVESE BLEND 2006
Luccio is a Sangiovese with a couple of little helpers but the leafy bramble and red berry flavours of the sangiovese shine through. There's plenty of generosity here so it makes for good every day drinking. It's medium bodied but still surprisingly juicy on the palate and very quaffable. I tried it with a simple steak and the bottIe disappeared in a flash.
Fergus McGhie Canberra Times, 27 August 08
PIKES LUCCIO SANGIOVESE BLEND 2006
The lighter-bodied, fine, savoury and taut "Luccio", a blend of sangiovese, merlot and cabernet, is the one to enjoy with roast meat and savoury dishes. The combination of bright fruit and fine tannic bite is delicious.
Chris Shanahan Sunday Canberra Times, 7 September 08
PIKES LUCCIO SANGIOVESE BLEND 2006
In case you're wondering about the name, Luccio is Italian for the English Pike. Well that's what it says on the label. This is a really nice food-friendly wine. Medium weight with a dry savoury earthy finish makes for a perfect partner for light pasta dishes.
87 Points - Ray Jordan - West Australian, 31 July 08
PIKES LUCCIO SANGIOVESE BLEND 2006
“A sangiovese (80 per cent) which really sings, its display of cherry fruits beautifully backed by slightly savoury tannins of the other blend components; a bargain which should be on every Italian restaurant wine list in Australia.”
James Halliday
Wine Companion Newsletter - February 08
PIKES LUCCIO SANGIOVESE BLEND 2005
Just a little hint of Italian that makes it perfect for Barbecue, cheap pasta and MotoGP night.
8/10 Points - The Daily Examiner - 27-28 October 2007
PIKES LUCCIO SANGIOVESE BLEND 2005
The 2005 Luccio is composed of 76% Sangiovese, 12% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Dark ruby-colored, it offers a smoky, cherry-filled bouquet leading to an elegant, sweetly fruited
wine with lingering flavors. It is an excellent value.
88 Points - The Wine Advocaat - October 2007
PIKES LUCCIO SANGIOVESE BLEND 2004
"Fresh fragrant fruit on the nose, the dominant character is cherry but there is some black plum and bilberry in the background. The freshness comes through on the palate with a sweeter more plum flavour in the middle and towards the finish. A long and complex mix of fruits"
91 Points - Derek Smedley, London Wine Trade Fair, May, 2006.
“Before turning his talents to Italian grape varieties such as sangiovese and pinot grigio, Neil Pike earned a reputation for excellent Clare Valley riesling and rich reds made from shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. But his Italian experiments have borne some tasty fermented fruit, including the Luccio, which is based on the Tuscan sangiovese. Easy drinking, light to medium in body, enticing cherry and berry fragrance, fresh grapey flavours and mild dry tannin amount to a truly delightful luncheon wine at a reasonable price. Choc full of charm and cheer"
4.5 stars. Paddy Kendler - Melbourne Herald Sun , June, 2006.
"This Clare Valley food friendly style of red is a youthful purple dark red colour. Deep rich dark plums, smooth blackcurrants, black liquorice and a touch of anise. Quite an elegant wine with fine tannins and indiscernible oak. Seamless easy red drinking with a well rounded finish. Drinking now over next 2-3 years. Try with an antipasto platter"
Paul Ippolito - Wine Talk, June 2006.
"Winemaker Neil Pike is convinced that Italian grape varieties will thrive in the Polish Hill Valley and this wine supports his case.A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet, it's a very easy drinking style of wine with fresh fruit flavours on the palate and a nice savoury finish. A terrific choice to accompany antipasta or a picnic lunch. Luccio, incidentally means Pike in Italian".
Windsor's Wine Picks - Golf Magazine, July 2006..
PIKES LUCCIO SANGIOVESE BLEND 2003
“Ripe cherry and sweet bilberry and cassis. Complexity on the palate with a depth of fruit in the middle and long flavours on the finish. The black cherry and sloe fruit has a touch of green pepper spice that lifts the flavours”
9O Points. Derek Smedley MW – Australia Day Tasting, London, February 2006.
“This Clare winery has crafted an easy drinking style of wine made predominantly from Italian origin wine varietal of Sangiovese. Topped up with Cabernet and Petit Verdot to give it structure and support. A dominant cherry and plum filled nose emanates from the lovely garnet red colours. Lots of fresh acidity from the fruit components with fine firm tannin structure in place. Quite good alcohol and well integrated. Have with spaghetti marinara. Drinking well now and priced at around $15”.
Paul Ippolito. Wine Talk 2006.
‘From their winery which is settled quietly in the Polish Hill River area of the Clare Valley, Pike’s are celebrating the 21st release of their Riesling. At the same time, I’m delighted with the latest – and most charming – of their Luccio quaffing reds. While the blend, featuring Sangiovese with the support from Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, is scarcely conventional, it works wonderfully well. There is round smooth approachability, squishy, juicy dark berry flavours and some briary savoury character – no doubt from the sangiovese’.
Rating – Bloody Good. Peter Forrestal. Quaff 2005.
‘This could also qualify as a bargain red of the week. Under screwcap from the ’03 vintage, this Clare Valley red is dominated by sangiovese. Sangiovese reaches its pinnacle in central Tuscany, and while it hasn’t yet hit those heights in Australia, it is producing medium-bodied, savoury beauties like this which received some added cabernet and petit verdot.
Jeff Collerson – Daily Telegraph. September 2005.
“Unusual for its varietal mix as much as its flavour, this Clare Valley blend has jammy aromas along with spices, herbs and dusty peppery nuances. Full of character and good value”.
Bargain - Huon Hooke – Sydney Morning Herald. November 2005.
“ Neil Pike of Clare makes a fantastic job of the Italian Sangiovese grape. Blended here with Cabernet and Petit Verdot, it has savoury dried herb, red cherry and cedary aromas. The palate is rather light but it doesn’t lack intensity, finishing pleasantly dry. A sensational alternative to conventional sub $15 Australian reds”.
4 Stars - Ralph Kyte Powell – The Age, October 2005.
PIKES LUCCIO RED BLEND 2002
“The 2002 Luccio is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Sweet cherry, new saddle leather, briery, berry fruit, tobacco smoke, and herb aromas jump from the glass of this attractive, medium-bodied, supple, savory, fully mature 2002. Drink it over the next several years”
89 Points. Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate, October 2005.
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