Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard The Peake Cabernet Shiraz 2017 14% 750ml

Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard The Peake Cabernet Shiraz 2017 14% 750ml

Tasting Notes

Palate
The richness of the shiraz fills out the power of the Cabernet Sauvignon in this blend as dark chocolate, blackberry, shiraz spice and screaming minerality carry this wine.

Vintage notes
2017 was a cooler year in McLaren Vale. The carryover from the 2016 rains into a perfect spring and then a cooler ripening season was ideal for Bordeaux varieties that need time on the vine to develop phenolic flavor rather than sugar, while maintaining acidity and structure.

Vinification
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Shiraz (40%). Sourced from 1971 (100%) planted estate blocks. All batches were fermented separately and blended prior to bottling. These batches of Cabernet and Shiraz represent the pinnacle wines from the Estate, our vision is to produce a seamless integration of the best of both varieties, with great aging potential; the winemaking follows suit from the previous vintages.

Winemakers comments
Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard covers a steep cut of country from the ridgetops above the village of Clarendon to the Onkaparinga River in the gorge below. Since its establishment in 1971, the Hickinbotham Vineyard has become a part of Australia’s wine heritage, supplying fruit to produce many of Australia’s greatest wines. Breathing new life into this historic vineyard, winemakers Chris Carpenter and Peter Fraser are forging a new era of Hickinbotham’s prestigious legacy: building upon and honouring the vineyard’s acclaimed pedigree.

Maturation
Rack and returned three times during the maturation of 15 months 100% new oak, Shiraz Burgundy coopered French oak, Cabernet Bordeaux coopered French oak.

Grape variety
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Shiraz

PH
3.58

Acidity
6.2 g/L

Reviews:

James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 97 Pts

A quintessential Australian blend in the hands of master American winemaker Chris Carpenter delivers the goods. 18 days on skins in all, before maturation in a combination of Bordeaux and Burgundy barrels. This is stellar gear. Expensive, undoubtedly, but the perspicacious obsession with tannin management rewarding from the first impression until the bottle is empty. The tannins are like a groomed piste of molten chocolate, gently riveted across the palate. These guide the senses to the next lick of fruit and riff of texture, while pulling the saliva out in preparation for the next sip. (Ned Goodwin)

Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - 96 Pts

Blue and black fruit, a bit of earth, vanilla, subtle mint and floral elements. Deep and round, fleshy and chocolaty, plush with ripe well-submerged tannin, all so smooth and even-keeled, finishing lip-smackingly long. Classic Australian blend with no shortage of style. Puts a smile on the face.

MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator - 95 Pts

Aromatic, detailed, generous and plush, featuring notes of cream soda and milk chocolate that add a touch of polish to the concentrated kirsch, spiced plum and blueberry flavors at the core. The details of cigar box, espresso and palo santo show appealing precision, exhibiting harmony on the long, expressive finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Drink now through 2035.