Collectors Lot 209
Clarendon Hills Sampler
Various 750 ml Bottles as Noted – 18 Bottles Total
Clarendon Hills’ flagship Syrah is the 800-case cuvee of 2004 Astralis. One of Australia’s most prodigious offerings, Astralis is a 20-30-year wine (some of the early vintages, such as 1996, are still babies in their evolutionary progression). Produced from 75 year-old Syrah vines; it coats the mouth with a viscous texture, but never comes across as heavy or over the top. An opaque purple color is followed by an extraordinary nose of graphite, roasted meat, new saddle leather, truffles, violets, and blackberries. Full-bodied with superb purity, great definition, and a refreshing, zesty acidity that buttresses its enormous weight and richness, it is a tour de force in winemaking from Roman Bratasiuk. Drink through 2040. RP 98 – (2 Bottles)
The top Grenache cuvee (essentially a selection of the finest fruit from the Blewitt Springs Vineyard) is the 2004 Grenache Old Vines Romas Vineyard. Cropped at ½ ton of fruit per acre, it boasts a deep ruby color, fabulous density, and a big, earthy bouquet of loamy soil, minerals, black raspberries, kirsch liqueur, flowers, and spice box. With great intensity as well as purity, and an expansive, savory mouthfeel, it is a fabulous offering. Drink through 2021. RP 94+ (2 Bottles)
One of McLaren Vale’s most astonishing Syrah is Clarendon Hills’ amazing 2004 Syrah Hickinbotham. Its inky blue/purple hue is accompanied by aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, smoked meats, melted licorice, coffee beans, graphite, and bacon fat. It is extremely full-bodied, powerful, and rich, with moderately high tannin, huge structure as well as massive concentration and intensity, but a sense of elegance, balance, and equilibrium. Drink through 2028. RP 95 (2 Bottles)
The 1996 Clarendon Kangarilla Grenache is bright, jazzy, a mouth filling red packed with raspberry and spice flavors that linger on the solid finish. Nice now with hearty food. RP 95 (7 Bottles)
The 1997 Clarendon Kangarilla Grenache is bright and spicy, with pretty cherry and raspberry flavors persisting intensely, along with an earthy note, on the firm-textured finish. Drink through 2004 (1 Bottle)
The 2001 Grenache Old Vines Kangarilla Vineyard’s saturated ruby/plum color is followed by a big, extroverted nose of peppery black raspberries, sweet cherries, earth, and loamy soil scents. Awesome concentration, massive body, but good acidity and tannin work in tandem to give definition and vigor to this behemoth. Drink through 2015. RP 95 (3 Bottles)
The 2001 Syrah Piggott Range may be one of several Clarendon Hills’ Syrah cuvees that stand toe to toe with its 2002 sibling. A giant Syrah, it boasts an enormously rich nose of black fruits, subtle vanilla, and smoke. Extremely full-bodied, thick, and prodigious, it will be at its finest now through 2025. RP 96 (1 Bottle)
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