Who makes it?
Pikes Novello is a new style wine from the Pike family winery in the Clare Valley. Many Riesling lovers around the world know and love the brand for classics such as ‘Traditionale’ and ‘The Merle’. However, it goes without saying that the family make a range of high quality white and reds. And more recently, they have brought in some ‘alternative’ grape varieties to make the Luccio range and to blend with their Shiraz.
And for those who don’t drink wine… they also have a microbrewery producing beer.
How do they make it?
The Luccio wines are Italian / Spain grape variety or styled wines. There is a Fiano, Albarino, Pinot Grigio styled Pinot Gris, a Sangiovese rose, a red Sangiovese and this red.
This red is a blend where Nero d’Avola (around 60%) dominates & contains a slug of Montepulciano. The vineyards are in the Polish Hill River sub region of Australia’s Clare Valley. It is mostly stainless steel matured, but has a portion in old French Barriques as well.
And just around 10 days on skins to get that particularly lovely hue. After all, how it looks will influence our experience of this wine.
Want to know more about Nero d’Avola, please read Why you should be drinking Nero d’Avola?
What does it taste like?
A dry light red. It still sits around medium body but is very fragrant and perfumed. The aromas and flavours are in that red fruit realm. Raspberry, plums and cherries. All that fruit is kept in line with a fresh flush of acid and some very soft tannins. Those tannins are ripe and merely gently shape the mouth.
As you would hope the length on this wine is long and fruity and dry.
What to drink it with?
Well, Pikes suggest a Christmas Turkey and that would work whether you have a Summer Christmas or a Winter Christmas. I would personally add a chicken or tuna salad, or BBQ or a simple pizza. Or just a pre-dinner aperitif! This is one versatile wine.
To chill or not to chill? …. Well that is really up to you. This red is just as good enjoyed at a cool 16-18 oC as it is at around 14oC.
Want more red wines that you can chill? Please click here to read ‘Yes, you CAN chill red wines!’ …..
Quickie review « Want another glass of the Novello? Why, yes please! No more to be said…»
Country of Origin: Clare Valley, Australia
Tasting Date: June 2023
Price: UK £16 | AUD$25
Drink: now – 3 years
Needs food: no
Source: purchase
If you like the sound of this Pikes Novello and like Australian red wines, why not check out:
Yalumba The Signature
Are you Game? Shiraz
Visit Pikes for more.
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