WINEMAKER’S NOTE
Excellent rainfall throughout winter
and spring provided promising
conditions leading up to the
season. Flowering was affected
by wet and cold conditions that
resulted resulting in low to very low
yields. The cool season continued
with summer being the coolest
on record resulting in a very late
harvest that was concluded without
rain interruption. These conditions
produced some amazing fruit with
very high acids and concentrated
flavours, albeit at reduced yields
Coming from a single block we
hand-picked just under 1 tonne
of exceptional fruit, which was
destemmed and fermented as
whole berries. Matured in old
French barriques to allow the fruit
to sing. Named “L’Optimiste” for the
optimistic outlook for the variety on
our Lenswood estate.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Fruit Source: Estate Grown
Altitiude: 593 metres
Variety: Shiraz
Vintage: 2023
Region: Lenswood, Adelaide Hills
Fermentation: Wild yeast, small
open fermenters
Maturation: 10 months in French
Barriques
Alc/Vol 13.5%
pH 3.65 TA 5.93 g/L
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Dark cherry red.
Aroma: Lifted and robust aromas
of ripe plum, wild blackberry, and
star anise. Oak plays a subtle, yet
effective role in the background.
The cool vineyard site shines
prominently through this highly
perfumed bouquet.
Palate: A concentrated and
intriguing wine that sits rich and
abundant in the mouth, yet displays
bright flavours of fresh blackberry,
mulberry and raspberry. Classy,
fine-grained tannins from whole
berry vinification round out the lush
back-palate with style.
Summary: The 7th release of Shiraz
from this unique site. This variety
continues to live up to its name
with promising signs for the future.
Drinks well now and will do so for
the next 10 years.
ABOUT PIKE & JOYCE
Pike and Joyce Wines was established in 1998 as the coming together of
the Pike family, from Pikes Wines in the Clare Valley and the Joyce family,
fifth generation horticulturists from the Adelaide Hills. The two families
share a love of the region, a passion for viticulture, and a desire to produce
only the finest wine.