HICKINBOTHAM CLARENDON VINEYARD
McLAREN VALE, AUSTRALIA 2019
Why Buy: From superstar winemaker Chris Carpenter and a long-venerated vineyard in McLaren Vale come this duo of 97-pointers that bring all the power, boldness, finesse, and length a wine lover could want – and at a fraction of what better-known producers charge.
What They're Saying: The Wine Advocate lavished 97 points on The Peake Cabernet Shiraz, calling it "beautifully integrated," "richly textured," and "expansive yet structured," and with a "long and elegant finish." Halliday Wine Companion, a leading Australian wine bible, was similarly admiring of the Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon, a 97-pointer with alluring aromatics ("cassis, pencil lead and dried tobacco leaf"), a "tannic gristle [that] etch[es] fine grooves of tension with each sip," and a "long and thrumming finish."
The Winemaker: Chris Carpenter has long received acclaim for his extremely limited production wines. Undoubtedly you're familiar with his work in California, at Lokoya, Cardinale, and La Jota. His wines are synonymous with power, ageability and finesse, and are the darling of any collector (and often boast triple digit price tags to prove it). He's brought his meticulous eye to Hickinbotham, whose wines he produces in conjunction with his winemaking partner and friend, Peter Fraser.
The Story: It's entirely likely that you've been drinking wines from Hickinbotham without knowing it. Allow us to explain: For more than 40 years the vineyards, located on the high-elevation hills of Clarendon, along the edge of McLaren Vale, in South Australia, produced fruit for many of the country's most esteemed winemakers, among them Penfolds, Clarendon, and Hardys. Enter Jackson Family Wines, which purchased the property from the Hickenbotham family, in 2012. In the wake of that sale, Hickinbotham stepped onto the stage for its solo turn, with wines now released under the Hickinbotham name. The first vintage was 2012, with four wines made available to the public: a Shiraz, a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Cabernet Shiraz blend, all of them made from grapes grown on the oldest terraced plantings of the estate.
Specs: The Peake Cabernet Shiraz is a 56-44 blend of the two varieties; it aged in approximately 50% new French oak. The Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon was de-stemmed and berry-sorted, and subjected to wild fermentation; it spent 15 months aging in French barrels (75% of which were new).
Our Tasting Notes: Carpenter’s signature is all over these: opulence yet balance, concentration yet poise. The marriage of classicism and fruit-forwardness could hardly be more perfect. The Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful without edging into over-heaviness, and is as long as a runway. And its aromatics (notably, tobacco and crushed herbs) are both subtle and persistent, taking you all the way through the experience. The Cabernet Shiraz is, if anything, even more intense, and unfolds itself in waves, each one seemingly more complex than the last. We love the way Carpenter has handled the oak in this, and the way he coaxes expressiveness from such power.
Fun Fact: Hickinbotham Vineyard's first vines were planted in 1971 by a man named Alan David Hickinbotham, the son, according to the website Timeless Wines, of Australia’s first wine science lecturer.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your order today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2024. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, TN, or Store 209 (Manassas, VA). This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, January 22nd, 2024.
*Due to limited storage space for pre-ordered product, we can only hold orders for 30 days from the first notification that your order is ready for pickup. If you are unable to pick up your order within 30 days, please contact Concierge Sales at (855) 841-2752 or conciergesales@totalwine.com to make an arrangement. A store associate may reach out periodically to notify you of your order. Unfortunately, if no arrangements have been made, after 30 days, the order will need to be cancelled and we will provide a full refund. No orders will be cancelled without multiple communication attempts.
