Hickinbotham Clarendon The Peake Cabernet Shiraz 2021

As ever, this Hickinbotham The Peake Cabernet Shiraz 2021 comes from the super impressive, contour-planted Hickinbotham vineyard at Clarendon in the higher bits of McLaren Vale. As an aside, I think the new minimalist packaging is less interesting than it used to be. Thoughts? Anyway, Chris Carpenter makes this Cab Shiraz in a Napa mode too, and boy, is it luscious. Decadent and oak forward, with this chunky flavour that feels minty and deep and rich. It’s a bit minty, a bit obvious but long in its chocolate and choc mint pomp, with that agelessness, oak-fortified mode that reminds me of Wynns John Riddoch in its bold prime. It’s not for drinking now, though, as the oak tannin streak through the finish shows. Indeed the score is a bit of a placeholder – the quality is there, but not for drinking now. Points: 94/100

ozwinereview ∙ 17th Aug 2023

Points: 95/100

James Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2024 ∙ 8th Aug 2023

A joint effort from Chris Carpenter and Pete Fraser. Majority cabernet (60%) riding riffs of cassis, mint, rolled sage, tapenade and bay leaf over shiraz's warmer chord below. A rich wine of immaculate tannic cladding, attesting to optimal fruit quality and a deft hand. Like alloyed ballbearings running through the mouth. The mocha-cedar of the oak is salubrious of feel rather than obtuse or excessive. Maritime freshness, a classy undercarriage infusing energy while towing impressive length. This is an immensely classy wine that sets the bar very high for the quintessential home blend. Points: 95/100

Halliday Wine Companion ∙ 6th Jul 2023

Dense, concentrated colour and a bouquet that suggests briars and tar/bitumen, with multiple herbs, blackberry and black cherry beneath, the palate loaded with mouth-coating tannins that complement the rich flavours. Traces of underbrush and a smidgin of tomato-bush. A big, solid, concentrated wine of long-term potential. Points: 97/100

The Real Review ∙ 22nd Jun 2023

It’s the blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and shiraz (40%). Amazing wine. Deep and elegant at once. Seamless, just so seamless. Blackcurrant and bay leaf notes, woodsmoke and cedar, roasted nuts, some coffee, some salted black olive characters. Tannin is immensely fine-grained; the finish all-round feels confident and long. Spread; that’s what this wine has. Lots of spread. It’s championship material. It’s a long-termer. Points: 96/100

The Wine Front ∙ 2nd Jun 2023