97 POINTS - Marcus Ellis
"52/48% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz from 1971 contour-planted vines; cabernet matured for 15 months in Bordeaux barriques, the shiraz in one- to two-year-old French and Austrian puncheons for eight months, then 10 months in a French oak foudre. The classic Australian blend rendered by the twin powers of winemakers Peter Fraser and Chris Carpenter, with shiraz and cabernet respectively. Named after John Peake, who established the first vineyard in Clarendon, and is also fittingly the peak of the range. The melding of the two varieties here is superb, a seamless intertwining, with shiraz gently flexing and cabernet calmly tensioning. A sophisticated note of oak seasons with ground coffee, clove and allspice over black and blue fruits, the wine building impressively with air. Excellent. "

The Peake is the most elite composite blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hickinbotham Clarendon vineyard in McLaren Vale.

The Shiraz is made by Yangarra winemaker Peter Fraser, the Cabernet by American Cabernet specialist Chris Carpenter. They combine the best, most luxurious components of each season's haul into this, their premier red wine.

It is a formidable yet supple beast and a fine nod to the great Australian Shiraz/Cabernet blends of the past. Truly a phenomenal example of this unique Australian red wine style, one that will reward the patient for many years to come.