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99+ Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (erobertparker.com)

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2010 Hoffman Vineyard Shiraz possesses an extraordinary nose of cassis, crushed blackberries, earth, Bovril and yeast extract with licorice, spice box and dried herbs hints. Full-bodied, rich and densely packed, with a lovely backbone of ripe tannins and great freshness, the long finish here is just incredible. A true "wow" wine, this complex beauty certainly has the potential to hit "perfection" with a little more time in bottle.

93 Points - Jay Miller (erobertparker.com)

The 2005 The Steading is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mataro, and 20% Shiraz aged for 22 months in used French oak. David Powell’s interpretation of top-of-the-line Chateauneuf du Pape is spot-on. Purple-colored, it offers a fabulous nose of damp earth, garrigue, clove, kirsch, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, rich, and layered, the wine is powerful, complex and yet surprisingly light on its feet.

92+ Points - Jay Miller (erobertparker.com)

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Hickinbotham offers the most saturated color. The aromatics feature Asian spices, violets, and incense along with expressive black fruits. Structured and tannic, bordering on austere on the palate, it is a muscular, brawny effort that will require 6-8 years of cellaring to become approachable.

95 Points - Robert Parker

One of McLaren Vale’s most astonishing Syrahs is Clarendon Hills’ amazing 2004 Syrah Hickinbotham. Its inky/blue/purple hue is accompanied by aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, smoked meats, melted licorice, coffee beans, graphite, and bacon fat. Extremely full-bodied, powerful, and rich, with moderately high tannin, huge structure as well as massive concentration and intensity, but a sense of elegance, balance, and equilibrium.

Wine Spectator 

“Dense, deep and brooding, delivering a complex mouthful of coffee-accented cherry, boysenberry, roasted meat and licorice flavors that meld together harmoniously and extend into the long, expansive finish. Tannins are present but well-submerged."

94 Points - Sam Kim 

As with all other Kumeu River wines, this is impeccably composed and elegantly expressed, showing nectarine, acacia, lemon peel and yeasty notes on the nose. The palate is superfine and beautifully weighted with creamy mouthfeel and elegant fruit intensity, wonderfully enhanced by subtle savoury nuances and perfectly pitched acidity. Very long and engaging, and hugely appealing. Grapes were hand harvested, whole bunch pressed, fermented using indigenous yeasts; then secondary fermentation in the bottle with 30 months on lees; disgorged by hand.

91 Points - Luis Gutierrez (erobertparker.com)

There is great purity and precision, a sharp Chardonnay with very little effect of the oak, just a spicy twist, a wine that incites you to drink with effervescent acidity that makes you salivate and cleanses your palate. Great, sharp Chardonnay.

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast

A blend of Shiraz (70%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). The Cab Franc comes through loud and clear on the palate and the long finish, where the plum fruit is taut, even a little tart. The fleshy berries and plums on the nose, though, say Shiraz. Well-behaved, and a successful if unusual blend.