Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot 2019

Scores

96 / 100

"This cuvée has shape-shifted. It's a more compact, mid-weighted and savoury experience than previous vintages. Attention to detail is a given here: hand picked, wild fermented and properly extracted. The oak, top-drawer. The tannins, detailed, finely wound, precise and laden with graphite. The length, compelling. Unrivalled by any other merlot but, perhaps, for Blue Poles in Margaret River. Stunning."
- James Halliday's Wine Companion

92 / 100

"Deep rich colour and a rich, concentrated bouquet led by smoky char-oak and the palate is likewise quite oak-driven, with medium to full-body and slightly gritty texture. Sweet raspberry fruit core. It could reward a little time in the cellar. It's a bit young at this juncture. 23 MAR 2021"
- Huon Hooke

94 / 100

"Grown on vines planted in the 70s and 80s and matured in all-French oak, mostly barriques but also foudre. Oak fragrance and flavour is strong here but so too is overall quality. Indeed it may well be medium in body but this is a merlot that plants its feet firmly. Big cracks of tannin, explosive berried fruit flavour, creamy vanilla and smoked cedar wood flavours all combine here to fantastic effect. Structure. Shape. Seduction. This wine is a definitive quality statement."
- Campbell Mattinson

92 / 100

"Hickinbotham's 2019 The Revivalist Merlot features classic varietal notes of black cherries, mocha and gentle tobacco-leaf shadings. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, showing unexpected crispness to offset the wine's formidable heft. Rich, velvety tannins coat the palate, while the finish lingers. It's a rich, concentrated Merlot that surpasses many other New World versions."
- Joe Czerwinski

Tasting Notes