Pikes Luccio Sangiovese 2024 | Clare Valley

Winemaking Notes

Fruit Source: Estate Grown from Polish Hill River. Fermentation: Spontaneous ferment in closed vessels, extended maceration up to 40 days on skins. Maturation: 50% matured in seasoned French oak barriques for 6 months, 50% stainless steel maturation. After an average winter rainfall, the soil profile was full, giving the vines a great start to the growing season. Following early bud burst, a bad frost event hit some parts of the valley in late October. Spring was dry, but thunderstorms in November and December helped setup the vine canopies. A warm, dry harvest with low disease pressure allowed grape intake to run extremely smoothly. Red varieties had lower yields but good fruit concentration and deep colours. Pikes Wines is a family-founded winery, established in 1984 when the Pike family began crafting wine together in Polish Hill River. The unique site features tough acidic soils over ancient Kadlunga Slate, 650 million years old. The wines are elegant and approachable, shaped by the land, years of viticultural experience and a hands-off winemaking style.

Vintage Conditions

The 2024 vintage began with average winter rainfall, ensuring the soil profile was full and giving the vines a great start to the growing season. Following early bud burst, a bad frost event hit some parts of the valley in late October. Spring was dry, but thunderstorms in November and December helped setup the vine canopies. A warm, dry harvest with low disease pressure allowed grape intake to run extremely smoothly. Red varieties had lower yields but good fruit concentration and deep colours. The combination of full soil profiles, warm dry harvest conditions and low disease pressure created ideal conditions for producing Sangiovese with exceptional concentration and structure. Pikes has championed Sangiovese for nearly 30 years, and the 2024 release is shaping up as one of the finest yet. The unique Polish Hill River site features tough acidic soils over ancient Kadlunga Slate, 650 million years old, creating wines that are elegant and approachable, shaped by the land, years of viticultural experience and a hands-off winemaking style. The 2024 vintage showcases bright ruby red colour, macerated dark cherries, fresh raspberries, cherry cola and subtle oak char spice with delicate potpourri florals, and a palate of rich dark fruits, cherries and fleshy plum lifted by tart cranberry and redcurrant notes, balanced by dried herb nuances and fine, persistent tannins. Naturally versatile, it pairs beautifully with grilled meats, antipasti, charcuterie, pizza and pasta.