Winemaker Notes
The Hickinbotham Grenache vineyard is just 10 metres from the Clarendon Grenache site but sits on the Northern, sunnier side of the hill and offers a stark contrast to the pure, organic expression seen just metres away.
The array of floral violet and rose petal notes intertwine with black raspberry, dark cherry, boysenberry and cassis. Perfectly composed without any element of over-ripeness, superfluous alcohol or extroversion, with time in the glass interesting hints of pistachio, a whiff of clove and an interesting Sarsparilla and graphite-like element nuance with the fruit and take this to the next level.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Hickinbotham Grenache is medium garnet-purple in color with an intensely scented nose of black raspberries, black cherries and violets as well as touches of cinnamon stick and rose hips. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with tons of cherry and baking spice flavors, structured by velvety tannins and enlivening acid, finishing very long. Drink it now to 2025+.
Rating:93+ -
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The well-made 2011 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Grenache is an excellent example of a wine with power and grace. TASTING NOTES: This wine is flashy, yet styling. Its aromas and flavors deftly combine candied raspberries with dried earth. Pair its tightknit presence with a herb-crusted, grilled lamb chop. (Tasted: June 20, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.