2023 Aphelion Hickinbotham Grenache

Aromatic precision meets seamless texture — Grenache mastery from Aphelion

95 points Halliday Wine Companion 95 points The Wine Front

Single-Vineyard McLaren Vale Grenache | Depth, Precision & Purity

“A breathtaking single-vineyard Grenache — fragrant, focused, and beautifully refined. A true modern McLaren Vale masterpiece.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Brilliant crimson with a translucent ruby core — youthful and radiant.
Aroma: Perfumed and seductive, showing red cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate layered with rose petal, blood orange, and hints of spice and earth.
Palate: Medium-bodied and pure. The red fruit glides over fine, silken tannins with notes of wild herbs, crushed rock, and savoury spice adding dimension.
Finish: Long, poised, and elegant — a wine of seamless balance and understated power.

Critical Acclaim

• 95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion
  “Beautifully aromatic and precise with fine tannins and lifted red fruit purity. Textural and elegant — a stunning single-vineyard Grenache.”

• 95 Points – The Wine Front
  “Bright and finely detailed with raspberry, spice, and red cherry charm. Silky and composed — a wine of quiet confidence and superb drinkability.”

Vineyard & Winemaking

Sourced exclusively from the Hickinbotham Vineyard in McLaren Vale, this single-site Grenache expresses the region’s ancient sandy soils and maritime influence with purity and finesse.

Winemaker Rob Mack handles the fruit with delicacy — hand-picked, wild-fermented, and gently plunged before aging in old French oak to preserve brightness and texture.
No fining or filtration ensures that the true character of the vineyard shines through.

Region

McLaren Vale, South Australia — a region now leading Australia’s Grenache renaissance.
Hickinbotham’s elevated position and sandy soils produce wines of fragrance, freshness, and textural grace rather than weight or power.

Food Pairings

• Roast duck with cherry and thyme

• Chargrilled lamb or pork with rosemary

• Mushroom and truffle risotto

• Mediterranean vegetable dishes

• Soft cheeses and charcuterie

Why We Love It

The 2023 Aphelion ‘Hickinbotham’ Grenache is a modern Australian classic — vibrant yet composed, elegant yet expressive.
It perfectly balances fruit purity with savoury nuance, showcasing the beauty of site and the mastery of restraint.

With dual 95-point acclaim from Halliday and The Wine Front, this is Grenache elevated to art — detailed, graceful, and unforgettable.

Pure. Precise. Poised.
The 2023 Aphelion ‘Hickinbotham’ Grenache captures the very essence of McLaren Vale elegance — a single-vineyard wine of balance, perfume, and quiet power.