Yangarra Hickinbotham McLaren Vale Grenache 2023
- 95
- $80
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100% Grenache taken from 1962 planted bush vines in the Hickenbotham Clarendon Vineyard Block 301. 100% destemmed, crushed, and tipped into ‘cocciopesto’ stone amphorae where a gentle maceration took place before remaining on skins for around 6 months. Matured in amphorae for a total of 10 months. McLaren Vale Grenache of this calibre achieves brightness and purity alongside detail and structure. Red liquorice, maraschino cherry, cranberry, cherry blossom, warm sand, Chinese five spice, orange peel. There’s a lot going on here and it’s condensed into an intense aromatic profile that balances bright red fruitedness with savoury seasoning. There’s some dried herbs that emerge with air adding a garrigue-driven Rhone feel, and some emergent dried rose and subtle clove. The palate is superbly bright and piquant with a cool, mineral feel sitting high in the mouth yet with such great intensity. Power without weight. Cranberry and red cherry notes intersperse with garrigue, warm sand, red liquorice, bitter amaro, and brown spice before a sheath of chalky tannins hold sway, framing it all up and drawing it to long, powdery length. A charming and complex wine.
Tom Kline is a wine writer, reviewer, presenter, and educator based in Victoria, Australia. He is the Australian correspondent for the internationally respected publications Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy and Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux, where he highlights the top tier of Australian wine for a global audience. Tom also writes for leading outlets including Decanter (UK), Wine Spectator (US), and Halliday Magazine, among others. An experienced wine show judge and WSET educator, he has authored several consumer-focused wine courses aimed at making wine more accessible and engaging. In 2023, Tom was awarded Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column at the prestigious Wine Communicator Awards, presented by Wine Communicators of Australia.
