2025 Aphelion Hickinbotham Grenache, McLaren Vale

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. Drink to 2035.

96 points Marcus Ellis for Halliday Wine Companion, September 2026

Aphelion [ed. Greek, from the sun] is the McLaren Vale based negociant business of Rob and Lou Mack. Founded in 2014, they focus on small batches of Grenache, with key long term growers including Marsh Brini, Jo Lepresti, Ben Lacey, Robyn and Gary Wait as well as Cathy Charnock and Peter Lockett.

The fruit for this wine was sourced from blocks 111-113 at the highest elevation of the Yangarra’s Hickinbotham vineyard in Clarendon. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.