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.