95 Points
94 Points
94 Points
94 Points

Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

SKU: HCTC201610 UCAU

$79.99

Unit price: per

Hickinbotham Clarendon is McLaren Vale’s historic hillside vineyard, producing benchmark Shiraz and Cabernet since 1971.

95pts, James Suckling!

Sourced from a premium private cellar

Critic Scores

95 // James Suckling

"A fresh and fragrant cabernet with violets and dark rose-like floras, cassis and blueberries. There is also a decent serving of spicy oak in the mix. The palate is smoothly arranged on sheets of formidably strong tannins, which are carried seamlessly into the finish. A stunning cabernet. Best from 2022. Screw cap."

94 // Joe Czerwinski

"The inky purple 2016 Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon is a super effort. It boasts intense, classic aromas of pencil shavings and cassis on the nose, then delivers rich waves of velvety but structured fruit on the full-bodied palate. If there's any complaint, it's that it's perhaps a bit too monolithic, but it's a young wine and should add layers of complexity given enough time in the cellar. It's not unapproachable now, but it probably won't fully hit its stride for at least five years and then be drinkable for at least a decade after that."

94 // Wine Spectator

"uicy and vibrant, showing terrific purity to the raspberry and black cherry flavors at the polished and refined core, with supple tannins and details of Earl Grey tea, violet and toasted cumin. Impressive for the seamless harmony and the creamy texture, this shows a tug of grip from the tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2035."

94 // Decanter

"Very unusual mix of marzipan, dry chocolate and blackcurrant. It is quite tannic, but does have some violet scent and sap to lift it. Sarah Jane Evans: Textbook aromas: blackcurrant with a hint of green pepper. This is a modern and glossy approach to Cab. Fleshy blackcurrants and a firm undertone of cedar. Tina Gellie: Quite a jammy Cab, but still has that cassis and green pepper note, plus soft vanilla oak and grippy tannins."

Product Details

Red

2016

Cabernet Sauvignon

Hickinbotham

McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

15 Plus Years

Stelvin

14.0%

750ml (Bottle)

In Stock

ONLY 1 LEFT IN-STOCK!

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Description

Since its establishment in 1971, Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard has consistently demonstrated the potential of its elevated, north-facing slopes to yield Cabernet Sauvignon of exceptional quality. The Trueman is the estate’s tribute to founder Alan Hickinbotham, drawing on the vineyard’s oldest and most expressive Cabernet blocks. Vineyard work is guided by sustainable practices, emphasizing precise canopy management and hand selection to highlight purity of fruit and site expression.
The 2016 vintage saw ideal conditions in Clarendon, with warm, even ripening delivering fruit of remarkable depth and vibrancy. Fermentation is conducted in small, temperature-controlled vessels with indigenous yeasts, followed by a restrained regimen of French oak maturation. The result is a Cabernet with classic varietal character: aromas of cassis, mulberry and bay leaf, underpinned by notes of tobacco, graphite and a hint of cedar. The palate is defined by its elegance and focus, with fine-grained tannins providing structure and length, and a line of natural acidity ensuring freshness throughout. The 2016 Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon is a polished, cellar-worthy wine that reflects both the pedigree of the vineyard and the measured approach of the winemaking team.
Tasting Profile

Light

Full

Low Tannin

Tannic

Sweet

Dry

Low Acidity

High Acidity

Food Pairings:

Pork

Red Meat

Spicy

Tasting Notes

Description

Since its establishment in 1971, Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard has consistently demonstrated the potential of its elevated, north-facing slopes to yield Cabernet Sauvignon of exceptional quality. The Trueman is the estate’s tribute to founder Alan Hickinbotham, drawing on the vineyard’s oldest and most expressive Cabernet blocks. Vineyard work is guided by sustainable practices, emphasizing precise canopy management and hand selection to highlight purity of fruit and site expression.

The 2016 vintage saw ideal conditions in Clarendon, with warm, even ripening delivering fruit of remarkable depth and vibrancy. Fermentation is conducted in small, temperature-controlled vessels with indigenous yeasts, followed by a restrained regimen of French oak maturation. The result is a Cabernet with classic varietal character: aromas of cassis, mulberry and bay leaf, underpinned by notes of tobacco, graphite and a hint of cedar. The palate is defined by its elegance and focus, with fine-grained tannins providing structure and length, and a line of natural acidity ensuring freshness throughout. The 2016 Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon is a polished, cellar-worthy wine that reflects both the pedigree of the vineyard and the measured approach of the winemaking team.

Tasting Profile

Light
Full

Low Tannin
Tannic

Sweet
Dry

Low Acidity
High Acidity

Food Pairings:

Pork

Red Meat

Spicy

Hickinbotham

The Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard covers a steep cut of country from the ridgetops above the village of Clarendon to the Onkaparinga River in the gorge below. After noticing an auction for a parcel of country property and fully aware of the 125-year history of the vineyard across the river, Alan Hickinbotham Jr. decided to bid on it. And luckily he did. Since its establishment in 1971, the Hickinbotham vineyard has become a part of Australia’s wine heritage, supplying fruit to produce many of Australia’s greatest wines.

Alan and his family began establishing water reservoirs and planning a serious vineyard, planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz on dry-grown, terraced blocks. He soon bought 37 hectares called Schmidts on the opposite side of the road (facing south), and his son David added another 16ha neighbouring the original north-facing purchase, then more land on the western side.

The Clarendon Vineyard has continued the legacy of Alan Sr. with great pride. The Hickinbothams were very highly regarded for the sublime quality of the fruit they grew at Clarendon, selling select parcels to Penfolds for Grange and to Hardy's for their equivalent white flagship, the Eileen Hardy Chardonnay.
By 2000, Alan’s son David Hickinbotham had established a partnership with winemaker Roman Bratasiuk, who with great success launched his Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Vineyard. After Alan’s passing in 2010, David took over the stewardship of the property, in January 2012 sold Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard to the Jackson Family who continues the legacy today.

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