2001 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Vineyard Syrah (Shiraz)

The Hickinbotham vineyard Syrah was planted in 1965 on hard clay and ironstone soil. The vines are close planted at one metre spacing, which forces the vine roots to compete for ground water. Consequently producing small highly concentrated berries.

“Who needs Viognier, when Syrah from this vineyard has a perfumed intensity without it!” This wine clearly demonstrates Roman’s winemaking philosophy.

Tasting Note: Totally opaque black/purple colour. Magnificent perfumed nose, filled with the aroma of violets, blackberry concentrate and blackpepper with exotic end notes. The palate is an explosion of super ripe fruit, yet far from simple layers. At first the flavours are recognised, and quickly merge into a seamless expression of Shiraz. Flavours of blackberry and blackpepper, plum and spice create the land of fruit bomb that only great Australian Shiraz is capable of achieving. Fine, firm tannin structure, yet perfectly balanced followed by a profoundly long aftertaste of blackberry, plum and blackpepper. Can a wine get much better than this?
Cellar 8-12 years (2010-2014).
Alc/Vol 14.9%
RATING: 99/100

Other Reviews.....
The Hickinbotham Syrah blew me away. The 2001 Syrah Hickenbotham boasts glorious amounts of blackberry liqueur intermixed with melted licorice, vanilla, smoke, and earth in a full-bodied, unctuously-textured, viscous style with great purity as well as palate persistence. The finish lasts nearly 60 seconds. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.
95 points
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate

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