96 points - "From Blocks 111–113 at the highest point of the Clarendon estate, with a southerly aspect delaying ripening. This saw 100% whole bunch and old-oak maturation. Immediately savoury, straight up on the nose, then decidedly so through the palate, with grippy, pithy, pleasingly rugged natural tannins guiding. That said, there’s a red-fruited core, with some prettiness of cherry, redcurrant and cranberry filtering through, along with ginger, cinnamon and sumac spice notes. There’s also a hint of pink peppercorn, rose and musk. Ripe, natural acidity gives this a crystalline precision, and it will age. If drinking sooner, give this ample air. The virtue will be rewarded." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points - "From the highest patch of the Hickinbotham vineyard in Clarendon. Blocks 111-113. South-facing too; so it’s both high and south-facing. As a result, it’s the last grenache harvested. 100% whole bunch ferment, off the back of long hang time in the vineyard. Matured in neutral/lare format oak. This tastes like a wine from a cool site. It’s as much about structure as anything, though in flavours terms it’s not lacking. In the past 12 months it’s fair to say that Aphelion has thoroughly won me over; this is more outright proof. Boysenberry, dust, a light rendition of red licorice, fragrant herb notes, suede-leather characters but in a fresh fruit context, smatterings of dried flowers and spices. It’s quite exquisite, really. Strawberry and red cherry characters add a bit more brightness and/or energy. And the tannin framework – which shouldn’t ‘t have been left to last, because it’s a main feature – is web-like but firm; this wine gives you the kind of handshake that you build a life around." - Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)

palate

The highest altitude wine in the range with vibrancy and crisp acid drive, red fruits mingle with herbal briar characters to create a wine of freshness and depth.
region notes

Sourced from Blocks 111-113 at the highest elevation of the Hickinbotham vineyard in Clarendon. A southerly aspect provides respite from the hot afternoon sun during ripening often meaning that this fruit is the last Grenache harvested with a very long hang time on the vine to produce a very well-developed flavour profile.
winemakers comments

Part of our premium SV Grenache range, the fruit used to make this wine is sourced from a single vineyard in the Clarendon area of McLaren Vale. The fruit was hand-picked on the 3rd March and processed as a 100% whole bunch ferment. After a slow and cool ferment the fruit was pressed to large format neutral French oak where it remained on full lees until racking for bottling in February 2026.
grape variety

100% Grenache


Bright vibrant purple in the glass.
aroma

Lifted aromatics of cranberry, bramble, and cherry.
palate

Herbal characters abound on the palate, with rosehip, just-ripe strawberry, and blood orange flavours. A rasp of light tannin provides good length and a savoury finish. The Hickinbotham Grenache has great energy and vitality in a medium bodied frame.
region notes

Sourced from Blocks 111-113 at the highest elevation of the Hickinbotham vineyard in Clarendon. A southerly aspect provides respite from the hot afternoon sun during ripening ensuring that this fruit is the last Grenache harvested with a very long hang time on the vine to produce a very well-developed flavour profile.
winemakers comments

Part of our premium SV Grenache range, the fruit used to make this wine is sourced from a single vineyard in the Clarendon area of McLaren Vale. The highest altitude wine in the range with vibrancy and crisp acid drive, red fruits mingle with herbal briar characters to create a wine of freshness and depth.
food matching

Vegetable lasagne with a rich béchamel.
vinification

The fruit was hand-picked on the 3rd March and processed as a 100% whole bunch ferment. After a slow and cool ferment the fruit was pressed to large format neutral French oak where it remained on full lees until racking for bottling in May 2025.
grape variety

100% Grenache