Bibendum Wine Co.
Bibendum Wine Co.
Bibendum Wine Co.
Bibendum Wine Co.

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Bondar Clarendon Shiraz 2022

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Bondar Clarendon Shiraz 2022
Producer Bondar
Region, Country McLaren Vale, Australia
Bottle Size 750ml
Case Size 6
Product Code 23426-750

Andre Bondar can’t hide his excitement that he is now working with Shiraz from the famed Hickinbotham vineyard in Clarendon. Biodynamically farmed, this dry-grown elevated site was first planted on rocky, ironstone-rich red soils in 1971. It’s a revered site in SA circles, supplying Penfolds Grange, Eileen Hardy and Clarendon Hills, among others, over the years. Clarendon sits considerably further inland than Bondar’s Rayner Vineyard and, at 250m altitude, produces a very different expression of Shiraz. “It’s finer, with ferrous quality and red fruits; there is a tightness and coiled power,” explains Andre.

In a very Bondar way, the winemaking does not detract from the purity of the site. Around 30% bunches were used in the ferment, and 20% of the wine matured in a one-year-old Stockinger demi-muid. “Year one was an investigation into how this fruit looks relatively unhindered, and the results are beautiful,” says Bondar. “It gives us confidence to bring in some technique in the coming years.” It’s an intoxicating addition to Bondar’s already star-studded portfolio.





Bondar Clarendon Shiraz 2022

Reviews

“All the blueberries, dried raspberry friand, spice, quite some perfume here too, along with black olive and thyme. It’s medium to full-bodied, somewhat earthy and ferrous, acidity feels bright but well settled, toasted hazelnut, iodine, with impeccable length. Wow, this is a wine of presence and intensity, though not at the expense of charm and drinkability. So good.”
96 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
“Deep ruby core with a brightness of purple shining at the rim. Blackberry, smoked beef, and ironstone aromas. Blue fruits at its core, dark slate and beef stock complexities roll across the palate with a tight coil of power that will take time to unfurl. Even in its current state of tension, it lingers incredibly long and remains balanced to the end. Time in a decanter before serving will be well worth it.”
96 points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
“This is the first year for this cuvée, sourced from the Hickinbotham Vineyard, planted in '71 to rocky, red, ironstone-rich soils. About 30% whole bunch, and the newest oak a 1-year-old Stockinger demi-muid. Vintages subsequent will no doubt see the winemaking tinkered with, but this is a strong debut. Bondar’s quiet making and attention to small detail are there, but the expression is definitively of another site, with a refined drive of red fruits and rocky minerals, a more savoury line, less floral, and with spices perhaps more brown than black. There’s a compression, a firmness of natural tannin encircling fruit, but it’s not hard to see this will unfurl gracefully, as it does over a day or so. This will be a cuvée to follow.”
96 points, Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion 2025
“A very dense, compact shiraz. Full bodied, palate-staining and intense. I had to back off after the first whiff. But returning to the wine provides ample reasons to celebrate. Clove, apricot and blue fruit notes. Hints of cracked pepper, hung game, plums and spiced quince. Long and sumptuous, with ample tension and refinement. Delicious wine. Drink or hold.”
95 points, Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com

Reviews

“All the blueberries, dried raspberry friand, spice, quite some perfume here too, along with black olive and thyme. It’s medium to full-bodied, somewhat earthy and ferrous, acidity feels bright but well settled, toasted hazelnut, iodine, with impeccable length. Wow, this is a wine of presence and intensity, though not at the expense of charm and drinkability. So good.”
96 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
“Deep ruby core with a brightness of purple shining at the rim. Blackberry, smoked beef, and ironstone aromas. Blue fruits at its core, dark slate and beef stock complexities roll across the palate with a tight coil of power that will take time to unfurl. Even in its current state of tension, it lingers incredibly long and remains balanced to the end. Time in a decanter before serving will be well worth it.”
96 points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
“This is the first year for this cuvée, sourced from the Hickinbotham Vineyard, planted in '71 to rocky, red, ironstone-rich soils. About 30% whole bunch, and the newest oak a 1-year-old Stockinger demi-muid. Vintages subsequent will no doubt see the winemaking tinkered with, but this is a strong debut. Bondar’s quiet making and attention to small detail are there, but the expression is definitively of another site, with a refined drive of red fruits and rocky minerals, a more savoury line, less floral, and with spices perhaps more brown than black. There’s a compression, a firmness of natural tannin encircling fruit, but it’s not hard to see this will unfurl gracefully, as it does over a day or so. This will be a cuvée to follow.”
96 points, Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion 2025
“A very dense, compact shiraz. Full bodied, palate-staining and intense. I had to back off after the first whiff. But returning to the wine provides ample reasons to celebrate. Clove, apricot and blue fruit notes. Hints of cracked pepper, hung game, plums and spiced quince. Long and sumptuous, with ample tension and refinement. Delicious wine. Drink or hold.”
95 points, Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com

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