One of the more obviously ageworthy offerings from Clarendon Hills, the 2004 Hickinbotham Syrah boasts a wonderfully perfumed bouquet of flowers, minerals and spice. Then it backs up those captivating aromatics with rich blueberry fruit shaded with mint and cracked pepper and a long, firmly tannic and minerally finish. Drink 2010–2020.

One of McLaren Vale’s most astonishing Syrahs 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. 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, it should be cellared for 2-3 years, and drunk over the following two decades. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Dense, deep and beautifully focused. A blast of red fruits, from cherry to Santa Rosa plum, zips along, carried by mouthwatering acidity and superrefined tannins. An open-textured wine with breathtaking purity of flavor and extraordinary length. Best from 2008 through 2020. –HS

The hard clay and ironstone soil at Hickinbotham comes across in a mineral, iron-ore feel to the tannins of this wine, enough to cut the dense flavors of blueberry and emphasize the zesty spice. The superripeness of the wine comes across in scents of peach, a red fruit character that places it with game, whether venison or wild duck.