Wine Review - 2008 Hickinbotham Shiraz/Cabernet

We have tasted the 2008 Hickinbotham Shiraz/Cabernet from the Clarenvale in Australia before, but this was a bottle that we 'aged' (not really) for the past 10 months or so to see if that plays any role in our enjoyment or the flavours.

As we poured the wine into the glass, the wine had a very dark colour.  It was almost Malbec inky dark.  The colour is comparable to other Shiraz but has some murkiness to it as it is a heavier wine that is unfiltered.  The wine is very fruit forward and jammy.  It has a raspberry and chocolate undertones.  It looks super dark and smells like a fruit bomb.

The flavours are very Shiraz-y in the profile, the residual sugars hit you right away so the full body of the wine starts sweet and finishes somewhat round and it dries out with tannins once the sugar burst passes.  Ten months ago there was almost a chaulkiness to but that has mellowed over time.  There is a tobacco/leather sensation but the raspberry jam hits you in the mouth pretty strongly.  There is some vanilla/oak sensation but there are still a lot of sour cherry fruits and tannins in the mouth-feel.

Overall, it is a nice wine, but in the Shiraz/Cabernet blend situation this wine falls squarely on the Shiraz side.  The Cabernet in the wine is absolutely overwhelmed by the residual sugars of the Shiraz.  So, if you are an Aussie Shiraz lover then this wine will not disappoint.  If you were expecting a super dry red you might be disappointed.  At $16.99 it is a good wine, not something super spectacular but unique.

	Tasting Notes:	Score:
Sight (0-5)	Very dark, mirky wine, almost inky in colour	3.0
Smell (0-5)	Powerful nose with note of raspberry jam and leather	4.0
Taste (0-10)	Interesting flavours of raspberry and chocolate with the residual sugars of Shiraz.	8.0
	Total:	15.0 / 20  (75%)