PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2009
“More minerally than usual, the ’09 Merle starts with a Germanic steeliness; floral, lime and spice aromas are subdued, yet there’s a sense of savoury substance that builds in the mouth. It’s long and “serious” with great depth, underlying power and excellent acid balance, the precursors of aged complexity.” - 5 stars
Ralph Kyte-Powell -
Sunday Age, Mar '10
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2009
“The Merle”, shows the more acidic, dry austerity of Clare’s Polish Hill sub-region. With that goes an extraordinarily intense but delicate lime-like varietal flavour… “The Merle”, I suspect will still make us smile 30 years from now.”
Chris Shanahan
Sunday Canberra Times, Feb ‘10
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2009
What an absolutely delicious wine. Packed with lemon and lime fruit, it tingles across the tongue and finishes with precise crisp acidity. Sometimes these reserve styles are more restrained, but there's plenty of generosity on the palate of this Pikes. Drink now and be decadent or wait another 20 years for a real wine-drinking experience. 5 Stars
Fergus McGhie
Canberra Times, Feb 2010
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2009
What an absolutely delicious wine. Packed with lemon and lime fruit, it tingles across the tongue and finishes with precise crisp acidity. Sometimes these reserve styles are more restrained, but there's plenty of generosity on the palate of this Pikes. Drink now and be decadent or wait another 20 years for a real wine-drinking experience. 5 Stars
Fergus McGhie
Canberra Times, Feb 2010
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2008
A pure expression of Clare with fresh lime juice and talc, aromas framing an abundance of zesty, fine fruit on the long, dry and even palate. 94 points.
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2010
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2008
Comes from the Polish Hill River region near the Clare Valley. Immensely powerful yet with typical restraint and delicacy. Treats the palate beautifully with its gentle build-up of flavour that persists to a very long finish. Lingering acidity is a feature. 93 points
Ray Jordan West Australian, 24 January 09
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2008
The Merle, from Pike's vineyard in the cooler Polish Hill subregion, presents a more intense, taut face of Clare riesling - a wine of exceptional finesse and delicacy
with long-term cellaring potential as well as drink-now appeal.
Comes from the Polish Hill River region near the Clare Valley. Immensely powerful yet with typical restraint and delicacy. Treats the palate beautifully with its gentle build-up of flavour that persists to a very long finish. Lingering acidity is a feature.
Chris Shanahan Sunday Canberra Times, 26 October 08
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2008
This 2008 reserve riesling has made a transition into new territory with a portion of natural yeast fermentation adding texture and enriching the intensity of the Polish Hill River terroir. Intense, pure and fine citrus fruit aromas, the palate travels on bright acid lines, finishing strong with slatey minerals and show stopping intensity" 96 points.
Nick Stock - The Pengium Good Australian Wine Guide 2009
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2008
BRONZE MEDAL - 2008 International Riesling Challenge
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2005
“This reserve riesling parcel from the Pikes Family wields Polish Hill power and a defined stance. Intensely fragrant, complex slate and mineral aromas, the palate is racy and concentrated, making a deep yet fine impression, superior concentration here, and plenty of years ahead ”. This 2008 reserve riesling has made a transition into new territory with a portion of natural yeast fermentation adding texture and enriching the intensity of the Polish Hill River terroir. Intense, pure and fine citrus fruit aromas, the palate travels on bright acid lines, finishing strong with slatey minerals and show stopping intensity" 96 points.
The Adelaide Review Hot 100 - 2008 TOP 10
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2005
“The cool lime of this wine is tied directly to the mineral character of the lees, as if lime could be fossilized or chiseled out of a rock. The complex minerality comes in layers of smoke, the wine beautifully formed, and built for long ageing ”.
92 Points. Wine & Spirit Magazine - Feb 2007.
“A very classy and long-term riesling whose musky, floral perfume of rose petal and lime aromas reveals undertones of minerals. Fine, long and chalky, the palate is deliciously concentrated and presents an open, almost juicy expression of pristine, essential varietal flavour before culminating in an
austere but refreshing finish”.
95 Points. Jeremy Oliver - www.onwine.com.au
“Relatively subdued aromas, but explodes on the super-intense and long palate; lime with lingering, but balanced acidity”.
95 Points. James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion 2007.
“2005 is considered a classic vintage, producing fine, minerally Riesling that will age very well. ‘The Merle’ 2004 shows more mineral characters than fruit flavours and really bright acid – but built richness as it sat in the mouth.
The 2005 Pikes Merle looked far finer than the 2004, with a bright hit of citrus and really ripe red apple and virtually endless finish. I tasted the wines both cold and at room temperature and as they warmed up the fruity aspect of the Merle really came to the fore”.
‘Seriously Good’ - Tony Harper, Brisbane News, May 2006.
“Pikes’ reserve level Riesling is one to seek out. It has hints of fresh green herb interspersed with layers and layers of stony, minerally flavors. The wine is intense and has lively acidity and a long, smooth finish.
91 Points. Daryna Tobey - Wine Enthusiast, April 2006.
“A shy, understated, minerally Riesling, classic Polish Hill River, which needs time and really comes out of its shell when drunk with fish. Tight, refined, very dry but smooth palate; abundant flavour but also restraint and structure. Keep it at least two years; will cellar more than 12”. For the Cellar -
FOOD – Pan-fried flathead.
Huon Hooke – Good Drinking Sydney Morning Herald – Jan 2006.
2005 was an outstanding vintage in Clare, set to rival 2002. The key difference is the 2005 wines are more approachable in their youth, and will be outlived by many 2002s. But when they’re drinking as well as this wine you would be harsh to hold this against them.
Elegance is the key here, with fine lime, lemon, apple and tropical fruits gliding seamlessly through a delicate bouquet and gentle palate, resting on a bed of soft, fine, minerally acidity. Eminently balanced and utterly enjoyable. This wine is a blend of the best parcels from Pikes’ Estate Vineyards at Polish Hill River.
94 Points. Tyson Stelzer – Top 500 Wines 2005.
This is the pinnacle Riesling in the Pike portfolio. It is named in honour after the Pike Matriarch, Merle Pike.
An exquisite wine emanates with purity of fruit dominating. Pale straw in colour, it is aromatic and at the same time, elegant. It delivers pure lime juice with citrus characters and tropical fruit hints. Some pear and almond also interact with the above.
Soft, smooth and well rounded on the palate with just right acidity. A rush of citrus lemon and lime that lingers flows through on the finish.
Have with Thai style prawn and calamari salad. Well priced at around $30. An excellent wine.
Paul Ippolito – Paul Ippolito Talks Wine. February 2006.
“The Pike brothers produce some of Clare’s best Riesling. Named after their late mother, this wine shows refined floral, lime sherbet, apple and mineral scents, ahead of an elegant fine-boned palate. Despite its tight structure, it has mid-palate richness and good depth; all it needs is age”.
5 Stars. Ralph Kyte-Powell – Melbourne Age, February 2006.
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2004
"
If you’re a fan of crisp young white wines, a well-crafted, drier Riesling may be just your ticket. Unoaked and bursting with fresh fruit flavors, these Rieslings are typically lighter weight with sharp acidity and a touch of sweetness that makes them a perfect complement to a wide range of foods. A great example of this style of Riesling is the Pikes Clare Valley Riesling “The Merle” Reserve 2004. Named in honor of the late matriarch of the Pike family, the “Merle” hails from the picturesque Polish Hill River sub-region on the eastern side of the Clare Valley in South Australia. A brilliant pale green in color, this “Best Of” displays the delicate yet complex flavors unique to the sub-region. High minerality and fresh acids combine for a balanced, drier wine that displays pure Riesling fruit and a crisp, clean finish on the palate. A citrus fruit nose with a touch of mineral round out this experience."
3LUXE.com - Simply find the best of everything website.
"A pristine and tightly sculpted Riesling whose baby powderlike fragrance of apple, pear and lemon sherbet reveals nuances of lime juice and rose petals. Long, smooth and seamless, its vibrant palate of brightly focused apple, pear and citrus flavours culminates in a dry and lingering finish of slatey phenolics and limey acids. Drink until 2024."
96 Points. Jeremy Oliver – Onwine, August 2005.
“Voluminous lime and tropical aromas and flavours; rich, mouthfilling style; now or later. Screwcap.”
94 Points. James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion 2006.
“Merle Pike, aka Mum, breathed her last in February, so didn’t live to see this wine reserved in her honour. It is ravishing Riesling, the seductive syrupy heart of lime, nashi pear, white peach and whatever, with very fine, powdery tannins, and enough persistent acidity to guarantee it decades of safe dungeon. Stuff a wild chook or duck with cumquats and garlic”.
94 Points. Philip White – The Advertiser, June 2005.
“ Neil Pike has released reserve rieslings before, but for the first time he’s decidedto give the 2004 a name. The Merle is dedicated to the late family matriarch, Merle Pike, and is a fitting tribute. Again, it’s delicate and zesty to smell, making you think it’ll be fun and frivolous in the mouth, but instead it whacks the tongue with a wave of rich, full grape pulpy fruit flavour, typical of the Polish Hill River subregion of Clare.”
Max Allen – The Weekend Australian, June 2005.
“A new label for the best fruit from Pikes’ old estate vines at Polish Hill River. Impressively tight and minerally, a serious Riesling of great vivacity and persistence. Tense tangy, juicy palate with great fruit intensity and focus. A long termer. Drink now to 2010+”
Huon Hooke – Sydney Morning Herald, May 2005.
"Green-gold color. High-pitched nose features floral, mineral-accented pear, green apple and quince. Juicy and expansive, with concentrated pear and blood orange flavors showing impressive intensity and striking focus. Talcy minerality and citrus pith flavors add interest to this powerful, nervy riesling. Finishes firm and long, with a wonderfully intense note of pear that almost comes off as sweet. Wow"!
93 Points - Josh Raynolds, Tanzer's Wine Cellar, July 2006.
PIKES “THE MERLE” RESERVE RIESLING 2002
Ripened past lime toward a golden apricot flavor, this has a classical spicy ripeness with a dry, mineral austerity. In combination, the flavors persist with remarkable length, glistening like the sun on the flesh of an apricot. It's substantial enough to partner caramelzied roast veal.
Joshua Greene - Wine & Spirits Magazine - Jan/Feb 2004
Released a year after vintage, this is a single-vineyard wine of 100 per cent Polish Hill River fruit. Green lime, faint dry herb,over a cool, steely palate.
Sophie Otton - Aust. Gourmet Traveller WINE - Aug/Sept 2003
Very pale, bright green. Intense aromas of lime juice, lemon essence and minerals. Racy, austere and razor-sharp. Exceptionally fine, tight, taut and long, with tremendous drive of concentrated lime, lemon and appe flavors framed by knife-edge mineral acids. Benchmark dry australian riesling, with more than a decade of cellar life ahead of it.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - July 2003 |
