Print this Wine         1998 Pikes Reserve Riesling   POLISH HILL RIVER, CLARE VALLEY                 January Release   Riesling       The great beauty of the Riesling grape variety is that is the purest expression of the concept of "terroir" of all the premium grape varieties. Generally the wine is vinified in a similar manner. This means using cool ferments, protection from oxidization, and no oak or malo-lactic fermentation. This results in different parcels of fruit exhibiting different characteristics only because of their vineyard location. There is one other relevant factor though, apart from the location of the vineyard, and this is the age of the vines. Naturally the older vines provide greater depth of flavors and produce a more consistent wine from vintage to vintage. The very astute team at Pike have identified a very special Riesling site within their estate and over the last few years have decided to keep this wine separate, hold it back for a year and release it for those who are extremely passionate about Riesling, and who prefer to buy their wine later, much later, This wine is only made and released if the quality is exceptional, as shown with this wine. Firstly do not serve this wine too cold. It requires just a gently cool temperature which will allow the vast array of aromas and scents to waft around the glass. Here you will find oranges and tangerines and mandarins. All the fruit and the oils of these citrus plants. In addition there is a chalky, talc like mineral component, a trademark of the region. On the palate the general feeling is that of warmth and generosity. Obviously the grapes were picked at optimum ripeness levels for maximum fruit. There is sweetness, some of it coming from ripe fruit, some of it coming from a little bit of residual sugar. There is no shortage of acid at the back of the palate to tighten the aftertaste and give it added length. The wine is meant for the cellar. Clare Valley Riesling of this caliber ages for up to 15 years and just continues to get better after the first 5 years in the cellar. This wine has all the components to age for that length of time. Still the generous nature of the fruit at the moment make it a very attractive drinking proposition right now.

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