Print this Wine         1996 Pikes Reserve Riesling   POLISH HILL RIVER, CLARE VALLEY                 January Release   Riesling       As if Neil Pike's standard Riesling is not good enough. Well it is good enough, however every so often Neil receives a batch of fruit that is so exceptional in every way he is forced to keep it separate and release it as a "Reserve" wine. The dry summer and fall of 1996 in the Clare Valley enabled grapes to ripen fully with the maximum amount of flavor. This is evident on the bouquet which is crammed full of citrus oil and blossom flavors of lemon, lime and mandarin. The fragrance is damn near intoxicating. Along with these fruity characters on the palate is a mineral component which gives the wine added texture in the mouth. There is great depth of flavor in the mid palate and the finish is marked by piercing, tingling acidity that just lingers on and on. The wine can be enjoyed now but it will improve. Neil Pike has made standard Rieslings that are a sheer delight at 10 years of age and with the weight and structure contained in this wine it is reasonable to assume that this wine will peak roughly at this level of maturity and probably hold on a plateau of drinkability for another 5 years after that. If you cannot wait and wish to drink the wine in the near future try it with prawns and a sweet chilli dipping sauce. This aromatic type of wine is perfectly suited to spicy food and the sweet flesh of the prawns will marry superbly with the citrus/mineral combination on the palate of the wine.

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