Once we were bold compañeros, Running guns from the Florida keys, On the beach of Santiago de Cuba, We were fighting with Fidel and Che

Pikes are synonymous with Riesling, but then they put out a drinking red like this and you remember they can do top value in the other spectrum too.
Dusty plums, blueberries, soft sliced black olives, a little heady rubber/leather. The darker Clare Shiraz fruit balances well with the herby fennel seed of the Tempranillo, trails off with a bit of meat juice/blood/iron.
Medium bodied, silky mouthfeel gives way to silty tannins. Lovely cool dark blue/red fruit, a hint of regional mint. Forget any overt oak like a Reserva Rioja-clone attempt, this sings with juicy acid and the grip on the gums wants to hug some food.

RRP: $20
Alc: 14.5%

Wine sample courtesy of Pikes Wines