2022 Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot

Highly Rated
Power and complexity combined in this world-class expression of McLaren Vale Merlot.

Price:
Sale price$90.00
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In stock, ready to ship
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Description

The Revivalist is an elegant, expressive take on the variety, grown on the elevated slopes of Clarendon and farmed organically since 2019.

The 2022 vintage delivers a wine that feels plush but never heavy, with dark plum and mulberry at the core, lifted by notes of toasted hazelnut, fresh tobacco and subtle spice from seasoned French oak. A cool, slow ripening season helped retain freshness and energy, while 50% new oak and a stint in foudre bring polish and depth.

On the palate, the wine is seamless and composed - silky tannins, ripe but savoury fruit, and a bright acid line give shape to a long, composed finish. It’s a Merlot with structure and class, far removed from the soft and soupy styles of old.

A quietly confident red that will reward both near-term drinking and mid-term cellaring.

95 points
“This harnesses a more rounded fruit profile, but also with proper linear tannins and drive. It’s a relatively elegant expression, though with a depth of plum and mulberry, subtle florals, graphite, roasted hazelnut and a balanced gloss of classy oak.”
- Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points
“Acidity walks an ascending line without artifact and the wine manages that leisurely form that only merlot can provide. Satisfying, flavour and harmonious. Some powdery tannins mean this will age another 4-5 years gracefully. Beef and black bean stir fry would set this off nicely.”
- Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)

95 points - “From two blocks planed in 1976 and 1989. Crushed fruit, ambient ferment, with 16 days on skins; matured in French barriques (60% new) and foudre for 12 months. Merlot has had a tough trot in this country, but Californian winemaker Chris Carpenter is well schooled in the ways of the grape. This harnesses a more rounded fruit profile, but also with proper linear tannins and drive. It’s a relatively elegant expression, though with a depth of plum and mulberry, subtle florals, graphite, roasted hazelnut and a balanced gloss of classy oak.” - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points - “Hand picked, destemmed and gently crushed, basket pressed, 16 days on skins and matured in French oak barriques of which 50% was new for 12 months. There is Merlot and then there is MERLOT, a wine with heart and soul and a gentleness guiding pressure of oak. This has it all in spades and then some. Black cherries, carob and stewed plums. There are Rosella flowers and a ground black sesame paste. Some bayleaf and thistle. Acidity walks an ascending line without artifact and the wine manages that leisurely form that only merlot can provide. Satisfying, flavour and harmonious. Some powdery tannins mean this will age another 4-5 years gracefully. Beef and black bean stir fry would set this off nicely.” - Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)

92 points - “A rich, plusher expression of merlot, at least in an Australian context. Tomato leaves, Damson plums and ferrous tannins directing solid length. Drink or hold. Screw cap.” - Ned Goodwin (jamessuckling.com)

92 points - “The 2022 Merlot The Revivalist is muscular in style, offering dense and punchy aromas of blackberry compote, black olive and cedar with a serious frame of oak. It is ripe, rich and heavyset, with oak tannins and jammy fruit delivering a long, strong finish that lacks delicacy.” - Angus Hughson (Vinous)

Hand-picked, destemmed and gently crushed. Native fermentation pumped over daily with 16 days on skins. Basket pressed with light pressings included in free run for lifted palate structure. Matured in French oak barriques, 50% new, and a portion in foudre for 12 months. Bottled December 2023.
vintage notes

The 2022 growing season followed very similar conditions to 2021, though slightly cooler. There were favourable winter rains and a mild flowering and fruit set period. The cool ripening period took place between late January through to harvest in March. Yields were well balanced, and we were pleased with the fruit ripeness, intensity, freshness, and natural acidity.

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Red
Body Full Bodied
Variety Merlot
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Wine Pilot
Critic Score 95
Size 750ml
Vintage 2022
Closure Screw Cap

Hickinbotham

The Hickinbotham vineyard is somewhat of a legend amongst the Australian winemaking community.

Planted in 1971 in the Clarendon region, fruit from this important site has contributed to some of the most iconic wines in Australia's history, including Penfold's Grange, Eileen Hardy and Clarendon Hills.

Recently, the vineyard has undergone somewhat of a renaissance after being purchased by American wine juggernaut, the Jackson family, and being placed into the winemaking care of Yangarra winemaker Peter Fraser and respected American winemaker, Chris Carpenter.

These are elite premium wines that are made limited quantities and are built to mature gracefully. The ultimate addition to any serious collector's cellar.

Michael Lane, Peter Fraser & Chris Carpenter Hickinbotham Vineyard

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