2016 Hickinbotham The Peake Cabernet Shiraz

98 POINTS

Huon Hooke - The Real Review

Deep, dark red/purple colour. The bouquet is fresh and bright and at this stage shows the spice of the shiraz component, but the more you sniff, the more the cabernet blackberry and blueberry shines through. The fruit is perfectly ripe and the wine is superbly balanced; where it differs from the Trueman cabernet and the Brooks Road shiraz is its structure. It has a firmer backbone, which will ensure it ages well and long. Black, red and blue berry aromas and flavours, cedar and spice, the shiraz spice receding the longer the wine is aerated. A wonderful glass of red wine.'

96 POINTS

Joe Czerwinski - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The blend of the 2016 The Peake Cabernet Shiraz is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Shiraz aged in 60% to 70% new French oak. It's a barrel selection and blend that is solid and rich, with grainy tannins at this youthful stage. Cassis, cherry, vanilla and cedar all come together synergistically to yield a rich, chewy red that should age well for more than a decade.

96 POINTS

Jane Faulkner - Halliday Wine Companion

57/43%, fermented separately, 100% new oak. As always, it's about choosing the best parcels of fruit and barrels for this high-end wine. It's seamless. The pristine fruit absorbing the oak, the filigreed tannins, the chalky acidity, everything doing their bit to create a complete wine. While incredibly fresh, its best days are ahead of it. 460 dozen.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

The sum is greater than the parts here. Stunning interaction of the two grapes. The shiraz fills and lightens the cabernet just perfectly. Abundant red and dark berries, plums and chocolate. Super fine tannins, too. This is blended to perfection. A brilliant wine.

95 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2016 The Peake Cabernet Shiraz leads with 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Shiraz. The wine is rich and dark, with layers of blood plum, dark chocolate, a dense corporeal note (not quite meaty and yet not quite not) and exotic spice notes that waft above it all. There are notes of clove and star anise, mulberry, licorice and even nutmeg. This is sensational, with really mid-palate weighted fruit. It is superb. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

95 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

Cabernet sauvignon (57%) and shiraz (43%) from a block planted in 1971. The shiraz spends 15 months in Burgundy-coopered French oak, 80% new. The cabernet goes into Bordeaux-coopered oak. 467 dozen were made. It would want to be given the asking price but the quality here is quite superb. It’s an accountant’s dream: strong in volume, balanced in nature, its forward estimates bright. Cloves, tar, blackcurrant/redcurrant and choc-mint, a swoosh of smoky oak. It displays both presence and decorum. You can bank on this maturing well.

93 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Precise, firm and focused, featuring a rich milk chocolate dimension that mingles with concentrated raspberry puree and blueberry flavors, showing dashes of dried rosemary and black tea. The finish is spectacular, revealing accents of sandalwood and spice. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.