Wines
2007 ‘Traditionale’ Riesling
PIKES TRADITIONALE RIESLING 2007
“I love Red Wine. In the summer though, it can be a bit too hot for a structured, heavy red. When cutting my teeth on wine in the early 1980's, I was introduced to German Rieslings. I LOVED them.
With varieties ranging from slightly sweet and refreshing to almost candy like, the German Rieslings were a great introduction to wine. Easy to drink, affordable, and always readily available. I learned a lot about German Riesling during this period of my life. As my tastes became more sophisticated, I transitioned to red wines, and sadly, never looked back.
Two wonderful friends and wine experts introduced me to this wine and re-introduced me to Riesling. Although not German, this Riesling radically changed my perception of this noble grape.
Pikes Estate is located in the Clare Valley of Australia. Although mostly known for its Shiraz, it is also famous for its "bone-dry" (Read - Not Sweet) Rieslings. I was flabbergasted when I tasted this wine. Instead of slightly sweet, it was remarkably refreshing and completely different then I expected. I would have never guessed in a blind tasting that this was a Riesling. Wow, this was a very exciting wine!
It poured a medium straw color, almost looks like a savignon blanc. The nose of Lime zest, grapefruit and mineral was fantastic. It is intensely flavored, very dry and refreshing. The limey flavors are prevalent up front, evolving to citrus and stone fruit and mineral. It has a long, dry finish. It is VERY refreshing yet intense.
This wine is beautiful. From the packaging to the price. Although many of you will balk at paying US$28 retail for this wine, you need to look at the money spent as tuition. It will allow you to learn what dry Australian Riesling is all about, and dispel all previous stereotypes about this Noble grape.
This is a quality wine, and a steal for the price paid. Another little known fact....this wine will evolve and age in the bottle for up to 10 years. Why wait? This wine is delicious and refreshing now. Today it is 95 degrees with painful humidity....I can't wait to crack open an iced bottle when I get home this evening.”
Gerry Dunn - Winedope.com - July 2008
“Expect this to improve in both the short and long term. Grapefruit notes dominate. Taut and terrific with impressive length..”
Ken Gargett - Courier Mail, 26 July 08
“TOP 100 WINE FOR 2008. We in the UK have to fight for a much larger allocation of this wine because it is, every year, one of the finest of its kind in Australia and it sells out far too quickly here. Neil Pike has a marksman’s touch with Riesling and his ‘Traditionale’ wine has the amazing knack of tasting as amazing in its youth as it does with a decade under it belt..”
Matthew Jukes.com - 21st May 2008
“The 2007 "Traditionale' Riesling displays vibrant, fresh citrus fruit characters and a dry, crisp, refreshing palate that is refreshing as always. Coming from a warmer vintage and possessing a slightly richer than usual fruit intensity, the wine is already drinking nicely. Bottled under screwcap it should develop beautifully over the medium term - say the next 4-6 years.”
Jeremy Olivier. Australian Medicine, 3 March 08
“One of the most consistent producers in the Clare, Pikes always over-delivers on riesling quality. Pure, precise and perfectly ripe, this shows soft blossom aromas over a bed of muddled limes, and finishes fine and long. It's delicious with fish and chips.”
Australian Table, March 08
“The Polish Hill's normal reserve has shown to advantage in the warm 2007 vintage and the Pike's "Traditionale" is fragrant of apple, lime blossom and a trace of spice. Quite full and intense on the palate but with racy acidity, it already shows loads of charm.”
www.eatanddrink.com.au - November 2007
“A fine, delicate, almost floral white that has focused, intense, limey flavours, some slatey, minerally notes and lively, zippy acidity.”
Peter Forrestal - Sunday Times - 18 November 2007
“One of the Clare's most recognisable labels delivers again with heady white lemon flower blossoms in the air and chalky minerals line through the palate as its clean citrus fruit flavours come to the fore. Well built with commanding acidity that suggests a long ageing potential.”
Top 100 Wines - Adelaide Advertiser, 21 November 07
“Pikes make outstanding riesling in the Clare Valley's highly regarded Polish Hill River sub-district. This has essency regional and varietal personality that hints at flowers, limes and green apples. It's tangy, long and complete with great presence.” 5 Stars
Sally Gudgeon & Ralph Kyte Powell - Uncorked Wine Guide - Sunday Life – 18 November 07
Bronze Medal - 2007 Riesling Challenge Canberra
This cuvee marries a range of small parcels from around the district with estate grown fruit, reliably delivering year afer year. Charming fine fragrance and sweet floral notes sit over ripe fresh squeezed lime. Superbly fresh and flavoursome Riesling, bags of limes and lemons, balanced and ripe.
92 points, Nick Stock WBM100 - October 2007