McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaCatching up a year later with this highly regarded cabernet made by Australian Charlie Seppelt and American Chris Carpenter. Pure black fruit and cassis with tobacco, menthol, and dark chocolate jump from the glass. The fruit is hand-picked from Clarendon high country at 220 metres, where it builds weight and flavour in the warm mornings, and freshness and acidity through cool nights. The richness and density continue to remind me of Pomerol, while the drinkability and savoury aspects suggest Western Tuscany. First planted in 1971 by Alan Hickinbotham, it remains well cared for today under the Jackson Family Wines banner. Delicious especially when decanted for two or three hours. Cellar through 2025.Tasted: 10 January 2020Tasted by: Prices:
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaAustralian Charlie Seppelt and American Chris Carpenter are the blokes behind the Hickinbotham revival pushing this Clarendon cabernet front and centre. The wine is shaped by its texture and hence tannins which remain dense throughout framing the wine’s structure to perfection. Pure black fruit/cassis with bits of tobacco, menthol and dark chocolate. The fruit is hand-picked from Clarendon high country at 220 metres where it builds weight and flavour in the warm mornings and freshness and acidity through cool nights. The richness and density makes you think of Pomerol, while the drinkability and savoury aspects remind one Tuscany. First planted in 1971 by Alan Hickinbotham it remains well cared for today under the Jackson Family Wines banner. Delicious especially when decanted for three hours. Cellar through 2025.Tasted: 16 February 2018Tasted by: Prices: