Pikes The Merle Riesling 2023 - Clare Valley, Australia
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Pikes The Merle Riesling - Clare Valley, Australia
Pikes The Merle Riesling - Clare Valley, Australia
Pikes The Merle Riesling - Clare Valley, Australia
Pikes The Merle Riesling 2023 - Clare Valley, Australia
google
Pikes The Merle Riesling - Clare Valley, Australia
Pikes The Merle Riesling - Clare Valley, Australia
Pikes The Merle Riesling - Clare Valley, Australia

Pikes The Merle Riesling 2023 - Clare Valley, Australia

$58 $89
Quantity

99/100 Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
97/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
96/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
96/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
95/100 James Suckling
95/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
95/100 Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
99/100 Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot (2021 vintage)
97/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
96/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
95/100 Mike Bennie, The Wine Front (2021 vintage)
95/100 Decanter (2021 vintage)
93/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
98/100 James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
94/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2020 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2020 vintage)

5 Stars - Halliday Wine Companion
People Choice Award 2023

Trophy - Best Riesling Winewise Championship 2023
Gold - Clare Valley Wine Show 2022
Gold - Langton's Clare Valley Regional Wine Show (2021 vintage)

Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot "If there is a better Riesling made in Australia this decade, I want to know about it. This is so close to perfect, it deserves full points but I think it might just get even better and I need the wiggle room."

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "An exceptional offering; the delicately lifted bouquet shows lemon pith, lime sorbet, white floral and wet limestone nuances, leading to an impressively concentrated palate displaying linear mouthfeel backed by firm acidity. Exquisite and pure, delivering outstanding line and length."

Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Pale straw, bright and really youthful in the glass. Fragrant, pretty and lifted aromas of lemon pith, bath salts, citrus blossom and wet slate. Fine, delicate and pointed on the palate, mouth-wateringly citrusy, juicy, mineral, pithy with lip-smackingly crunchy acidity. This is a class act and has a long life ahead of it. "

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "...a product of the excellent 2022 season that birthed it. The Merle is traditionally a structural and streamlined wine, and this vintage iteration continues the established theme. Lithe, almost muscular and loaded with juicy acidity, this wine, in this year, deserves to be put down for a while. With pureness, strength, fruit power, coiled, springy acidity and length for days, this is sensational Riesling."

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front "The purity of this is quite something. It’s more than that of course, it has a semblance of texture, and lots of length, and enough spread to the flavour profile to keep it from seeming simple. It also has some X factor, or something difficult to describe, which just makes you feel in the most confident and reassuring of hands. But the purity, well, it gets you in the feels, it’s the land and the vines in an embrace so tight they seem as one, like the sound of the sea inside a shell. Clare Valley Riesling. More than a cliche. Twist the top and you’re there."

James Suckling "This is still extremely youthful, the nose pure lemon sherbet in the first moment, but slowly revealing a wide spectrum of citrus notes, including lemon blossom. Very racy and tightly wound on the concentrated and sleek palate. You need to like acidity to fully appreciate the samurai sword-like finish at this early stage in its life. Drinkable now, but best from 2024. "

Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion "The Merle commands attention at the apex of 'reserve' Clare Valley riesling styles. This is no slouch. It's complex and potent, precise and exceptional in its carriage of flavour and the detail within. It's very aromatic, redolent of fresh lime, green apple, ozone, ginger, jasmine and thyme. Flavours are similar but set within a very fresh feeling, chalky textured rapier thrust of tart lime, pink grapefruit and tangerine fruitiness, offset with very minerally, briny tang. An epic wine."

Trophy - Best Riesling Winewise Championship 2023 "The lime blossom fragrance of Clare is clearly evident, and the palate is intense and long, yet delicate, built around a line of pronounced acidity that guarantees a long cellaring life. World-class dry riesling."

Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot "Terrific intensity here, incredible length and perfect structure. This wine offers more chalky soil notes (or at least, that is what it appears to do), along with those beautiful fresh lime characters. This is a stunning Riesling. The flavours explode across the palate. It has a life of twenty years ahead of it and many more, if you can be that patient. If there is a better Riesling made in Australia this decade, I want to know about it.” (2021 vintage)

James Suckling "This has very intense aromas of lime and wet slate with some sweeter florals, as well as white nectarine. So fresh. The palate has intensity and drive, with the same fresh lime and white-nectarine flavors. Very long and vivid." (2021 vintage)

Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Pale straw, green tints, really youthful in the glass. Aromas of lime leaf, jasmine, feijoa, just-ripe white stone fruit and grapefruit pith. Racy, fine, focused and concentrated on the palate. Lashings of zesty citrus, green melon, brown lime, talc and minerally wet-stone. A touch of grip adds to the mouth-feel and adds texture and length. A very complete riesling ." (2021 vintage)

Mike Bennie, The Wine Front "An imperial standard, of sorts! Lemongrass, lime cordial, green apples. Huzzah! A touch of blackcurrant too? Perhaps. Attractive, varietal scents. Zingy and energetic to taste, compact, bracing with its core of steely, lemon juice acidity. Pent up, powerful, tight and very long. Bone dry. Excellent, classic expression. A Very Good Example." (2021 vintage)

Decanter "Already established in the wine industry, in 1984 the Pike family pooled resources to purchase its first 27ha. The Merle is named after the family matriarch, in tribute to their history and tradition. The highly regarded 2021 release is made from just three blocks among the best parcels of their own vineyards in the Polish Hill River estate. Justin Knock MW: Super-precise, steely and pinpoint, salivating, refreshing, lime juice, wet rocks, slippery thirsty acidity. Really lovely balance and finesse. Roger Jones: Gentle, spiced honeycomb, fresh yellow florals, clean and pure, touch of wet stone, delicate jasmine, clementine citrus peel. A wine to age, with great character, depth and woven citrus-curd acidity. Julia Sewell: Candied lemon peel, green mango and green pear aromas. Punchy and powerful, this holds nothing back, yet is balanced across all elements. With a seamless and strikingly juicy palate, a hint of something tropical adds an exotic element." (2021 vintage)

Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "The nose here is littered with characters that take some time to unpick: green pineapple, green and red apple skins, white peach, lemon zest, lime flesh and beeswax. Layers of white pepper, crushed chalk and hints of garden mint round this out. It's incredibly detailed and interesting, not to mention long." (2021 vintage)

James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion "...luscious, but that's the impact of this wine. It's citrus focused, of course, and it also has keynote acidity, but it's the honeyed mouthfeel and flavour that hits the jackpot." (2020 vintage)

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Pale straw colour. Very fresh, youthful, restrained and subtle on the nose. Lemon juice and subtle herbs. The palate is juicy, the faintest trace of sweetness balancing the vibrant acidity. Dried herbs and dried flowers. Still slightly yeasty. Rapier-like acidity. Lean, nervy and tight, demanding time and patience. Potential-plus." (2020 vintage)

James Suckling "A very fine, fresh and focused riesling, as is the style of Merle. The nose has intense lime and flint aromas with attractive wet-stone and spice notes. The palate is cleverly pitched and poised with a long stream of unwavering lime flavor." (2020 vintage)

Pikes is a prestigious winery in South Australia's Clare Valley, established in 1984 by Neil and Andrew Pike, whose viticultural roots go back to the late 1800s. Situated in the picturesque Clare Valley, the Estate is comprised of approximately 100 hectares of rolling slopes in Polish Hill River, an eastern sub-region of the Clare Valley.
Known for its cool climate and diverse grape varieties, Pikes showcases premium wines with distinct characters and flavors due to the unique terroir and altitude.

After an almost 20-year career with Penfolds Wines and Southcorp Wine Group, Andrew joined Pikes on a full-time basis in 1998 to oversee viticultural operations and manage the growing family business.

Pikes is particularly renowned for its high-quality Riesling and other cool-climate wines, praised for vibrant acidity, citrus flavors, and exceptional aging potential. Whilst they are best known for world-class Riesling, they have been growing Shiraz and Cabernet for 35 years and have 20 different grape varieties planted on their estate, producing a wide range of wine styles to suit all tastes.

Pikes pride themselves on producing quality handcrafted wines, that reflect vintage, variety, and region. The Pike family has been producing quality wine, beer, and aerated waters in South Australia since 1886 it is a family tradition of which they should be very proud.

Their vineyards in Clare Valley grow various grape varieties, with a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture and environmental responsibility.

Their portfolio includes Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and unique blends, all crafted with a dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Over the years, Pikes has garnered numerous awards, establishing itself as a top producer in the Clare Valley, and gaining recognition both nationally and internationally for their excellent and consistent wines.

Riesling is a light-skinned, aromatic grape of German origin which is – if the majority of top wine critics are to be believed – the world's finest white wine grape variety. The Riesling vine holds a very different place in the wine world to such great grapes as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Chardonnay. While these immensely popular varieties have conquered every corner of the winegrowing world, Riesling is conspicuously absent from the core wine regions of France, Spain and Italy. Riesling's home is the regions that trace the middle Rhine and the lower Mosel, two of Europe's great wine rivers.

99/100 Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
97/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
96/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
96/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
95/100 James Suckling
95/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
95/100 Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
99/100 Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot (2021 vintage)
97/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
96/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
95/100 Mike Bennie, The Wine Front (2021 vintage)
95/100 Decanter (2021 vintage)
93/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
98/100 James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
94/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2020 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2020 vintage)

5 Stars - Halliday Wine Companion
People Choice Award 2023

Trophy - Best Riesling Winewise Championship 2023
Gold - Clare Valley Wine Show 2022
Gold - Langton's Clare Valley Regional Wine Show (2021 vintage)

Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot "If there is a better Riesling made in Australia this decade, I want to know about it. This is so close to perfect, it deserves full points but I think it might just get even better and I need the wiggle room."

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "An exceptional offering; the delicately lifted bouquet shows lemon pith, lime sorbet, white floral and wet limestone nuances, leading to an impressively concentrated palate displaying linear mouthfeel backed by firm acidity. Exquisite and pure, delivering outstanding line and length."

Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Pale straw, bright and really youthful in the glass. Fragrant, pretty and lifted aromas of lemon pith, bath salts, citrus blossom and wet slate. Fine, delicate and pointed on the palate, mouth-wateringly citrusy, juicy, mineral, pithy with lip-smackingly crunchy acidity. This is a class act and has a long life ahead of it. "

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "...a product of the excellent 2022 season that birthed it. The Merle is traditionally a structural and streamlined wine, and this vintage iteration continues the established theme. Lithe, almost muscular and loaded with juicy acidity, this wine, in this year, deserves to be put down for a while. With pureness, strength, fruit power, coiled, springy acidity and length for days, this is sensational Riesling."

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front "The purity of this is quite something. It’s more than that of course, it has a semblance of texture, and lots of length, and enough spread to the flavour profile to keep it from seeming simple. It also has some X factor, or something difficult to describe, which just makes you feel in the most confident and reassuring of hands. But the purity, well, it gets you in the feels, it’s the land and the vines in an embrace so tight they seem as one, like the sound of the sea inside a shell. Clare Valley Riesling. More than a cliche. Twist the top and you’re there."

James Suckling "This is still extremely youthful, the nose pure lemon sherbet in the first moment, but slowly revealing a wide spectrum of citrus notes, including lemon blossom. Very racy and tightly wound on the concentrated and sleek palate. You need to like acidity to fully appreciate the samurai sword-like finish at this early stage in its life. Drinkable now, but best from 2024. "

Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion "The Merle commands attention at the apex of 'reserve' Clare Valley riesling styles. This is no slouch. It's complex and potent, precise and exceptional in its carriage of flavour and the detail within. It's very aromatic, redolent of fresh lime, green apple, ozone, ginger, jasmine and thyme. Flavours are similar but set within a very fresh feeling, chalky textured rapier thrust of tart lime, pink grapefruit and tangerine fruitiness, offset with very minerally, briny tang. An epic wine."

Trophy - Best Riesling Winewise Championship 2023 "The lime blossom fragrance of Clare is clearly evident, and the palate is intense and long, yet delicate, built around a line of pronounced acidity that guarantees a long cellaring life. World-class dry riesling."

Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot "Terrific intensity here, incredible length and perfect structure. This wine offers more chalky soil notes (or at least, that is what it appears to do), along with those beautiful fresh lime characters. This is a stunning Riesling. The flavours explode across the palate. It has a life of twenty years ahead of it and many more, if you can be that patient. If there is a better Riesling made in Australia this decade, I want to know about it.” (2021 vintage)

James Suckling "This has very intense aromas of lime and wet slate with some sweeter florals, as well as white nectarine. So fresh. The palate has intensity and drive, with the same fresh lime and white-nectarine flavors. Very long and vivid." (2021 vintage)

Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Pale straw, green tints, really youthful in the glass. Aromas of lime leaf, jasmine, feijoa, just-ripe white stone fruit and grapefruit pith. Racy, fine, focused and concentrated on the palate. Lashings of zesty citrus, green melon, brown lime, talc and minerally wet-stone. A touch of grip adds to the mouth-feel and adds texture and length. A very complete riesling ." (2021 vintage)

Mike Bennie, The Wine Front "An imperial standard, of sorts! Lemongrass, lime cordial, green apples. Huzzah! A touch of blackcurrant too? Perhaps. Attractive, varietal scents. Zingy and energetic to taste, compact, bracing with its core of steely, lemon juice acidity. Pent up, powerful, tight and very long. Bone dry. Excellent, classic expression. A Very Good Example." (2021 vintage)

Decanter "Already established in the wine industry, in 1984 the Pike family pooled resources to purchase its first 27ha. The Merle is named after the family matriarch, in tribute to their history and tradition. The highly regarded 2021 release is made from just three blocks among the best parcels of their own vineyards in the Polish Hill River estate. Justin Knock MW: Super-precise, steely and pinpoint, salivating, refreshing, lime juice, wet rocks, slippery thirsty acidity. Really lovely balance and finesse. Roger Jones: Gentle, spiced honeycomb, fresh yellow florals, clean and pure, touch of wet stone, delicate jasmine, clementine citrus peel. A wine to age, with great character, depth and woven citrus-curd acidity. Julia Sewell: Candied lemon peel, green mango and green pear aromas. Punchy and powerful, this holds nothing back, yet is balanced across all elements. With a seamless and strikingly juicy palate, a hint of something tropical adds an exotic element." (2021 vintage)

Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "The nose here is littered with characters that take some time to unpick: green pineapple, green and red apple skins, white peach, lemon zest, lime flesh and beeswax. Layers of white pepper, crushed chalk and hints of garden mint round this out. It's incredibly detailed and interesting, not to mention long." (2021 vintage)

James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion "...luscious, but that's the impact of this wine. It's citrus focused, of course, and it also has keynote acidity, but it's the honeyed mouthfeel and flavour that hits the jackpot." (2020 vintage)

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Pale straw colour. Very fresh, youthful, restrained and subtle on the nose. Lemon juice and subtle herbs. The palate is juicy, the faintest trace of sweetness balancing the vibrant acidity. Dried herbs and dried flowers. Still slightly yeasty. Rapier-like acidity. Lean, nervy and tight, demanding time and patience. Potential-plus." (2020 vintage)

James Suckling "A very fine, fresh and focused riesling, as is the style of Merle. The nose has intense lime and flint aromas with attractive wet-stone and spice notes. The palate is cleverly pitched and poised with a long stream of unwavering lime flavor." (2020 vintage)

Pikes is a prestigious winery in South Australia's Clare Valley, established in 1984 by Neil and Andrew Pike, whose viticultural roots go back to the late 1800s. Situated in the picturesque Clare Valley, the Estate is comprised of approximately 100 hectares of rolling slopes in Polish Hill River, an eastern sub-region of the Clare Valley.
Known for its cool climate and diverse grape varieties, Pikes showcases premium wines with distinct characters and flavors due to the unique terroir and altitude.

After an almost 20-year career with Penfolds Wines and Southcorp Wine Group, Andrew joined Pikes on a full-time basis in 1998 to oversee viticultural operations and manage the growing family business.

Pikes is particularly renowned for its high-quality Riesling and other cool-climate wines, praised for vibrant acidity, citrus flavors, and exceptional aging potential. Whilst they are best known for world-class Riesling, they have been growing Shiraz and Cabernet for 35 years and have 20 different grape varieties planted on their estate, producing a wide range of wine styles to suit all tastes.

Pikes pride themselves on producing quality handcrafted wines, that reflect vintage, variety, and region. The Pike family has been producing quality wine, beer, and aerated waters in South Australia since 1886 it is a family tradition of which they should be very proud.

Their vineyards in Clare Valley grow various grape varieties, with a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture and environmental responsibility.

Their portfolio includes Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and unique blends, all crafted with a dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Over the years, Pikes has garnered numerous awards, establishing itself as a top producer in the Clare Valley, and gaining recognition both nationally and internationally for their excellent and consistent wines.

Riesling is a light-skinned, aromatic grape of German origin which is – if the majority of top wine critics are to be believed – the world's finest white wine grape variety. The Riesling vine holds a very different place in the wine world to such great grapes as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Chardonnay. While these immensely popular varieties have conquered every corner of the winegrowing world, Riesling is conspicuously absent from the core wine regions of France, Spain and Italy. Riesling's home is the regions that trace the middle Rhine and the lower Mosel, two of Europe's great wine rivers.