Clarendon Hills
Robert Parkers Scores - 2003 Clarendon Hills
From Wine Advocate Vol. 155, October 25, 2004
“With each new vintage, Roman Bratasiuk appears to be a more and more confident Australian superstar, producing a range of wines that is mindboggling for its quality and breadth of aromatics as well as flavors. Everything is aged in French oak. The Grenache cuvees see virtually no new oak. They Syrahs vary from as low as 20% new oak to as much as 90% or more for the Astralis. The same is true for the Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons. All the Clarendon Hills wines are bottled without fining or filtration. Bratasiuk explained that the 2003 vintage enjoyed an average size crisp, very good ripeness, and stylistically was closer to 2001 than 2002. Of course, 2001 was one of the hottest growing seasons on record, with 2002 being one of the coolest and longest on record. Bratasiuk also stated (and this has been confirmed by other McLaren Vale producers) this region experienced its worst drought in over a century during the growing season. That, combined with extremely windy weather during the flowering and set, resulted in very low yields, but also the possibility of intense flavor concentration. Most of the Clarendon Hill cuvees were (quantitatively) off by 20% - 30%. My tastings confirmed that the 2003 Clarendon Hills are top-flight, and do not suffer in comparison with their magnificent 2002s and 2001s.”
Cabernet Sauvignon Brookman Vineyard 90
“..classic characteristics of creme de cassis, tobacco leaf, dried herbs, and vanilla. Medium to full-bodied and tightly knit with loads of tannins as well as concentration. 100% Cabernet.”
Cabernet Sauvignon Hickinbotham Vineyard 93+
“Flagship Cabernet....boasts a saturated ruby/purple color as well as a big, full-bodied perfume of creme de cassis, cedar, spice box, and tobacco leaf. With a hugh concentrated mouthfeel, a boatload of tannin, and a monster finish...”
Cabernet Sauvignon Sandown Vineyard 90
“...full-bodied, tannic effort revealing notes of black currants, cherries, earth and underbrush. This powerful, potent Cabernet requires 4-6 years of cellaring; it should keep for 15+ years.”
Grenache Old Vines Blewitt Springs 92-94
“The “Dolly Parton” of Grenache is the 2003 Grenache Old Vines Blewitt Springs, from a vineyard whose soils include quartz, sand, and loam. This opulent, voluptuous, deep ruby/purple-colored effort offer a heady mixture of red and black fruits....”
Grenache Old Vines Clarendon Hills 90-93
“Clarendon Hills is the reference point for high quality Australian Grenache. The brilliant, evolved 2003 Grenache Old Vines Clarendon Vineyard (head-pruned vines planted in 1920) reveals notes of sweet cherry jam intermixed with licorice and sandy/loany soil undertones. Full-bodied, opulent and lush, it should be consumed over the next 7-10 years.”
Grenache Old Vines Hickenbotham 91-93
“The elegant, deep ruby/purple hued 2003 Grenache Old Vines Hickenbotham Vineyard exhibits notes of raspberries, strawberries, and cherries along with hints of fig and charcoal.”
Grenache Old Vines Kangarilla 93-95
“The 2003 Grenache Old Vines Kangarilla Vineyard (planted in sandy soils overlaying heavy clay) is the richest of the 2003 Grenaches except for the top-of-the-line Romas.”
Grenache Old Vines Romas 95-97
“Clarendon Hills’ flagship Grenache, the 2003 Grenache Old Vines Romas Vineyard is the densest, most exotic of these wines...”
Merlot Brookman Vineyard 88
“The 2003 Merlot Brookman Vineyard exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as notes of dried herbs intermixed with espresso roast, and medium to full body.”
Syrah Astralis Vineyard 96-100
“There are generally 600-800 cases of what is becoming Australia’s greatest Syrah, Clarendon Hills Astralis. Last year I made the arguments that, compared to its closest competition, the famed Penfold’s Grange, Astralis is (1) a more natural wine, without added tannin, (2) made from a single vineyard, (3) not the product of a corporate committee, (4) aged in French versus American oak, and (5) clearly an expression of specific terroir. The 2003 Syrah Astralis stood out as a spectacular offering, possibly as good as the virtually perfect 2002.”
Syrah Bakers Gully 88-90
“The well made 2003 Syrah Bakers Gully, which comes from 10 year old vines, reveals copious quantities of black fruits, pepper, licorice, and earth. Spicy, expansive, and a treat to drink.”
Syrah Brookman Vineyard 94-96
“Truly great stuff, the 2003 Syrah Brookman Vineyard boasts a dense purple color in addition to a rich, pure nose of blueberries, blackberries, camphor, spice and truffles.”
Syrah Hickenbotham Vineyard 94-96
“With fabulous notes of melted licorice, smoke, asphalt, creme de cassis, and roasted jus de viande, this full-bodied, dense yet remarkably elegant, well balanced Syrah should hit its peak in 2-3 years, and last for 15+.”
Syrah Liandra Vineyard 92-95
“Full-bodied, with beautiful integration of its structural elements as well as tremendous purity (a characteristic of all the Clarendon Hills wines).”
Syrah Moritz Vineyard 92-95
“The 2003 Syrah Moritz Vineyard is characterized by its extraordinary balance and purity.”
“Roman Bratasiuk is one of Planet Earth’s greatest winemakers, and obviously a top-notch viticulturist given his obsession with sourcing extraordinary fruit from ancient McLaren Vale vineyards.”