2005 Clarendon Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Hickinbotham

Community Tasting Notes (24) Avg Score: 92.2 points

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  3/31/2024 - jsander Likes this wine: 95 Points

  This is drinking very well. It opened up to notes of lilac and perfume. Tannins are still present. The finish is long and luxurious. Wonderful.

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  12/26/2023 - Araldinho Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Deep garnet.
  Aromas of cedar, cassis, wood fire, sandalwood, mint, sloe and sunbaked earth.
  Coarsely grained tannins. Blackcurrant acids and dark chocolate bitterness.
  Full bodied.
  Palate of prune, blackberry jam, cassis, tobacco, Asian spices, medicinal herbs and balsamico.
  Tasted along with Penfolds bin 707, 1994. A full bodied, mature, utterly powerful and international style wine with a truck load of dark fruit, mouth-filling spicy notes and an earthy smoky finish. Drink within 7-8 years. Tasted 2023.
  In comparison, the matched wine displays an muscular inner core and more complex fruit whereas this wine relies upon racy dark fruit, power and succulent acidity.

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  6/21/2023 - jsander Likes this wine: 90 Points

  More like a Cab Franc than a Cab Sav. Green Peppers and a long peppery finish. Enjoyed it. Paired well with my spicy bbq ribs.

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  4/6/2023 - skurtz Likes this wine: 92 Points

  First bottle purchased at auction. The cork was fine (yay!). Waited 2-3h of air time (slow-ox). Sandalwood, berries, and alcohol on the nose. On the palate, an avalanche of sweet cassis and cherries, mineral, black pepper. Smooth, opulent. Only a hint of acidity and faint peripheral tannins in the spicy finish. This must have been a beast in its youth. Now fully mature, but by no means over the hill, time to drink up. 14.5% alc. This won't get better with more aging IMO.

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  1/21/2023 - Salute wrote: 92 Points

  Saw this on wine.com for $72.....well above CT average cost :-(
  Robert Parker 97..... Vintage 2005....had to give it a shot.
  Upon opening:
  Cork was very nice - about 1/4" soaked dark red - rest beautiful.
  Decanted through Vinturi - light to medium sediment/sludge.
  Visually a thick wine, deep black red with amber tones on the edges.
  Nose of sweet, ripe fruit, spicey undertones.
  Thick sweet fruit continues on the palate with warm baking spices.
  Now, to let it get some air....
  It develops a bit...but not much.
  Good cab - rich, thick, sweet fruit (but not like a Caymus)
  Very nice.

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