- Last updated on February 18, 2023
Welcome! Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot review.
Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot is a bold and powerful wine from Australia’s McLaren Vale.
This full-bodied Merlot showcases the exceptional quality of the region’s fruit and the winemaking expertise of the Hickinbotham family.
With a long aging potential and a rich, complex flavor profile, this wine is sure to impress even the most discerning palates.
Find below our Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot Review
- Brand: Hickinbotham
- Grape Varietal: Merlot
- Region: Australia, McLaren Vale
- Tasting Notes: Blackberry & Dark Cherry fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Bordeaux / 59-65 °F (15-18 °C) / Decant ~30mins
- Storage: 10+ years
- Price Range: ~$80
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot review: What's its color?
Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot deep, dark red color with a bright ruby rim and fat slow falling legs.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot review: What are the flavors?
Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot is entirely made from Merlot grapes.
On the nose, it is intense and aromatic, with rich black fruit notes of blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry.
These are layered with secondary notes of vanilla, chocolate, and toasty oak, adding depth and complexity to the aroma.
On the palate, it is a powerhouse, with a full-bodied and weighty mouthfeel. The wine is ripe and juicy, with intense flavors of black fruit and plum.
These are complemented by notes of baking spices, cocoa, and coffee, adding layers of complexity and depth.
The tannins are firm and grippy, providing structure and balance to the wine’s intense flavors.
Is Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot wine sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot review: Which food pairs well with it?
This rich and full-bodied Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot pairs well with a range of dishes.
For meat-based dishes, try it with slow-roasted beef or lamb, braised short ribs, or grilled steak. It also complements game meats such as venison or duck.
For a vegetarian option, pair it with roasted root vegetables, such as carrots and beets, or mushroom-based dishes like wild mushroom risotto.
This Merlot can also stand up to rich and flavorful sauces like red wine or balsamic reduction.
Finish off the meal with a dark chocolate dessert or a cheese platter featuring aged Gouda or Cheddar.
Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot review: What's its alcohol content?
Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot wine’s alcohol content is 14.5%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have higher calories per glass than wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per gram vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per gram of carbs, which include sugar.
What is Hickinbotham?
Here is an extract from the Hickinbotham website:
“First planted in 1971 to dry-farmed Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, Hickinbotham Vineyard is situated on the high elevation hills of Clarendon, a subregion along the northern edge of McLaren Vale in South Australia.
The vineyard historically produced fruit for many of Australia’s most iconic producers but was not bottled under its own label until 2012.
Led by winemakers Christopher Carpenter and Peter Fraser – and viticulturer Michael Lane – Hickinbotham Vineyard continues its nearly 50-year legacy.“
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot is a rich and powerful wine that showcases the exceptional quality of McLaren Vale’s fruit.
Its intense flavors and aromas, along with its firm structure and long aging potential, make it an excellent choice for lovers of bold and complex wines.
Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a hearty meal, this wine is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Cheers!
