Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard The Peake Cabernet Shiraz 2022

52/48% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz from 1971 contour-planted vines; cabernet matured for 15 months in Bordeaux barriques, the shiraz in one- to two-year-old French and Austrian puncheons for eight months, then 10 months in a French oak foudre. The classic Australian blend rendered by the twin powers of winemakers Peter Fraser and Chris Carpenter, with shiraz and cabernet respectively. Named after John Peake, who established the first vineyard in Clarendon, and is also fittingly the peak of the range. The melding of the two varieties here is superb, a seamless intertwining, with shiraz gently flexing and cabernet calmly tensioning. A sophisticated note of oak seasons with ground coffee, clove and allspice over black and blue fruits, the wine building impressively with air. Excellent.  Points: 97/100

Halliday Wine Companion ∙ 9th Aug 2024

A full-bodied cabernet of precision and class. The results are more approachable, fragrant and exquisite than warmer years. Perhaps the tannins are not quite as refined and resolved. Yet the pimento lift to the aromas riffs on spruce, a smattering of garden herbs, green olive brine, red currants and pickled cherries. It has an immediacy and great gusto. I'd drink this across a shorter-term window. Drink now or hold. Screw cap.  Points: 94/100

jamessuckling.com ∙ 2nd Feb 2024