Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Syrah 2006 (RP97)

By Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 97

Jeb Dunnuck 96

Decidedly more serious and structured, the spectacular 2006 Clarendon Hills Syrah Hickinbotham is 100% Syrah that comes from ungrafted, dry farmed bush vines and clay and limestone soils. Aged for 18 months in 85% new French oak, it delivers a knockout array of focused black fruits, bay leaf, smoked bacon, licorice, pepper, and black olive that flows perfectly to a full-bodied, balanced, and incredibly fresh palate. Nothing is out of place, it has gorgeous concentration, and integrated, clean acidity that shines on the lengthy finish. Count me a fan, and this powerful, yet elegant Shiraz has the fruit to shine now, yet will continue to evolve for another decade or more. Don’t let any Aussie bias keep you from trying this wine!

《Clarendon Hills》
近年在國際間聲名大噪的澳洲酒莊Clarendon Hills，更與Penfolds及Henschke齊名，被稱為澳洲三大酒莊之一。其實是一間相當年輕的酒莊，它成立於1989年，第一個釀造年份是1990 年，酒莊主人Roman Bratasiuk在短短幾年內獲得Robert Parker讚譽為Wine Producers of the Year；酒莊本身也在2003年被Parker選為世界最偉大的156個酒莊之一。莊主以單一品種、單一葡萄園, 老藤及法國橡木桶等原則，為澳洲寫下葡萄酒史上新的一頁，其頂級酒款Clarendon Hills Astralis更被Parker表示如果有任何澳洲酒能超越Penfolds Grange，那一定是ClarendonHills Astralis。而他的旗下的酒款更是多不勝數，入門版已經很有一定水準，全部更獲得Parker給與高分數。