Winemaker Notes
This masculine and often tightly-wound expression is often dominated by harder-edged and powerful characters. Recessed and concentrated, this wine has a mineral under-fabric that accentuates the boldness of its understatement.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Supple, round and expressive, this displays many layers of blackberry, black olive, cherry, blueberry and clove on a smooth and elegant frame, finishing seamlessly. The tannins are well-absorbed. Drink now through 2020.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Hickinbotham Vineyard Syrah is deep garnet-purple in color and gives a minty / eucalypt laced nose with a core of kirsch, blackberry compote, crushed blueberries, mace, vanilla and anise. Crisp and well balanced in the mouth, it has medium-firm fine textured tannins, a good amount of fleshy fruit and a long finish with some earth notes poking through.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
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.