Description
Since its establishment in 1971, the Hickinbotham vineyard has supplied fruit to many of Australia’s greatest ever wines.
Now under the control of winemaker Peter Fraser (Yangarra), the wines under the Hickinbotham label represent a new high water mark.
From the original 1971 plantings, this is a big rich style of shiraz, which will age incredibly well.
Lots of red fruits on the nose with a hint of cloves and sweet spice.
As this unfurls in the glass you’ll find a palate staining combination of dark plums, blackberries, chocolate powder and grippy tannins.
A blend of three distinctive blocks on loams, silt and clay.
No whole bunch.
Gently extracted by wetting the cap and racking/returning.
Circa 20 days on skins.
6 months in puncheons.
6 more in foudres and a concrete egg.
A corpulent wine, lush and full.
Yet there is nothing jammy about it.
Eclipsed by its Bordeaux varietal siblings perhaps, but as far as warm-climate shiraz goes, this is at the apex of the qualitative totem pole.
Blue fruits, violet, anise, clove and pepper grind.
Some salumi, too.
But the tannins are this gorgeous wine’s opus.
– Ned Goodwin MW, James Halliday Wine Companion 2022, 13 August, 2021, 95 Points The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Shiraz Country – Australia Region – McLaren Vale, South Australia Vintage – 2019 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 14.5%
