2022 Mr Grant Malbec *

VINTAGE

The 2022 growing season followed very similar conditions to 2021, though slightly cooler. There were favourable winter rains and a mild flowering and fruit set period. The cool ripening period took place between late January through to harvest in March. Yields were well balanced, and we were pleased with the fruit ripeness, intensity, freshness, and natural acidity.

WINEMAKING

This is the second release of Malbec from Hickinbotham, named after the first resident of Clarendon and the nearby Grant’s Gully Road. Sourced from Block 105, 0.9Ha of Malbec planted 2013 at 250m elevation. Hand-picked and selectively sorted, destemmed with 100% whole berries retained. Open native fermentation with gentle pump over regime during maceration period of 17 days. Basket pressed with free run and light pressings barreled down to French oak barriques, 30% new, for 15 months. Blended at 15 months and packed down to older Bordeaux barriques for 2 months before bottling. Bottled December 2023.