2020 Hickinbotham Clarendon Grenache
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Tasting notes
100% Grenache. From a 0.9-ha plot planted in 1962. Hand-harvested. Fermented in 1,800-litre egg-shaped cocciopesto amphorae. 72% remained on the skins in amphorae for 156 days. Aged for 11 months in the same vessels. Bottled April 2021. TA 5.5 g/l, pH 3.5. Certified organic and biodynamic. Rich and lively, with real energy plus the more typical sweetness of Grenache. Shows how well this variety reacts to amphora. (JR)
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Full, screwcapped bottle all of 1,619 g (Jackson Family Wines are now engaged in reduced their bottled weights.) From dry-farmed bushvines planted in the Hickinbotham vineyard in 1962 at 225 m. Fermented and aged in large 'cocciopesto' amphorae. Transparent garnet. Really gamey, almost jammily sweet nose. Full and broad expression of Grenache. Very complete and flattering. Quite long too. Very recognisably Grenache – a sort of Châteauneuf foam. A little more satisfying on the mid palate than the Ovitelli Grenache 2020. (JR)
A creamy and fine-tannined grenache with perfectly ripe strawberry and hints of tile. Itâs medium-bodied. Fresh and fine. Lightly chewy. Orange peel. Refined and elegant. Terracotta. No wood. Excellent aging potential. Drink or hold.
The 2020 Hickinbotham Grenache was sourced from estate-owned bush vines (planted in 1962 at 225 meters in elevation) and was fermented and matured entirely in concrete egg shaped amphorae called "cocciopesto." Darker and denser than the Ovitelli, this shows a splay of blood, shaved deli meat, pink peppercorn and satsuma plum. It is heavier and more tannic too, delivering more intensity and gravitas, if that's what you're into. Another impressive release, it lingers long and fine.
About the producer
One of the leading names in Australian wine, managed today by Peter Fraser, Yangarra farms its 90 hectares of vines biodynamically. The McLaren Vale estate works with Rhône varieties and is best known for its outstanding Grenache, the top botting of which is its High Sands cuvée.