Print this Wine         1998 Pikes Cabernet Sauvignon   CLARE VALLEY                 January Release   Cabernet Sauvignon       The 1998 vintage was kind to the brothers Pike. Andrew was able to produce grapes with concentration, ripeness and true varietal flavor. Handing over to winemaking brother Neil where the grapes were treated with care, proudly producing some of the finest wines ever. In appearance the wine displays a mixture of purple and ruby red. It is very dark in hue with the color all the way to the rim. The nose sees a melange of quite contrasting flavors and aromas. There is some sweet berry fruit with blackcurrants, mulberries and cherries all being evident. There is some mint and eucalyptus leaf characters. In addition there are some earthy, almost mushroom like notes. Add to this an overlay of vanilla oak and you have a particularly complex bouquet. The promise of the bouquet is fulfilled on the palate. The sweet and ripe fruit tends to dominate with all the other components really supporting the fruit. There is a very thick, heavy texture across the palate, due no doubt to low yielding vines and a trouble free ripening period. The aftertaste of the wine is very long. There are big gripping tannins along with medium acid levels. Do no drink too many bottles of the wine now. It has been made for the long haul. Indeed put some away for at least 10 years and the wine will then soften at the back palate. Allowing for the tannic grip at the moment you can still drink the wine now as long as you match it to appropriate food. Select meals with a component that is going to soften the tannin. Cheese is a good possibility. Look to the creamy white mould styles like Brie or Camembert, or the nutty and piquant flavor of aged Cheddar. Look towards hearty winter braised dishes with rich and slightly sweet cooking juices. Shanks, either Lamb or Veal would be quite suitable with this big, strident wine.         How do I download Hi-Res Labels?

Varietal All Varietals Bordeaux Blends Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Colombard Dessert Wine Grenache Grenache Mourvedre Shiraz Grenache Rose Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre Italian Varietals Marsanne Viognier Merlot Mourvedre Mourvedre Mourvedre Shiraz Grenache Muscadelle Muscat Other Pinot Grigio Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Port Riesling Rose Saignee Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Shiraz Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre Shiraz Mourvedre Grenache Shiraz Petit Sirah Shiraz Viognier Syrah Viognier Estate All Estates Aramis Vineyards Blackbilly Bowen Estate Clonakilla Coates Craiglee Elderton Fireblock Flinders Bay Frankland Estate Grosset Wines Heathcote II Hill of Content Mount Horrocks Primo Estate / Joseph Rocky Gully Rutherglen Estates Sir Paz Estate The Catcher Wines The Jumping Grape Wines The Old Faithful The Wishing Tree Tir na N'og Region All Regions Adelaide Hills Adelaide Plains Auburn Australian Capital Territory Barossa Ranges Barossa Valley Blewitt Springs Bowen Estate Canberra District Cardinia Hills Cardinia Ranges Central Victoria Clare Valley Clarendon Coonawarra Cowra Eden Valley Fleurieu Frankland Geelong Great Western Griffith Heathcote Hilltops Region Hunter Valley Kangarilla King Valley Langhorne Creek Lenswood Lower Hunter Valley Macedon Ranges Margaret River McLaren Vale Mornington Peninsula Mount Carmel Murrenbateman New South Wales Norton Summit Nuriootpa Old Garden Vineyard Padthaway Piccadilly Polish Hill River Riverina Rutherglen Sevenhills South Australia Sunbury Tanunda Upper Beaconsfield Victoria Watervale West Australia Western Australia Woodside Yarra Valley Keyword Include Museum Notes? Yes   No Show me more wines: of this vintage of this varietal by this estate from this region