2006 St. Hallett Old Block Shiraz

The Barossa Valley is home to Australia's most iconic wine brands, but what are the qualities that make these wines so special (and expensive)? The age and rarity of the vines is one factor. Many of the world's oldest Cabernet and Shiraz vines are still growing there, some planted in the early 19th century. Miniscule yields inherent to their age are compensated by a purity & concentration of flavour, a remarkable persistence on the aftertaste and silk-like tannins, making for extraordinary sensory experiences.

Some historical perspective helps one appreciate these wines all the more. When you next pour a glass, consider that around the same time that many of Barossa's viticultural pioneers were producing their first vintage, Giuseppe Verdi had completed the opera Aida, the Suez Canal was opened and a record was set by the sailing ship Thermopylae - reaching Port Melbourne from England in a record 61 days 11 hours. A little later the four cylinder internal combustion engine was to be invented and Pasteur had discovered 'germs'. It's little wonder these wines continue to be collected and celebrated as treasures of world viticultural history. Tasting note:Produced from low cropping 60-100 year old vines. Saturated black purple colour with black purple hue. Superb nose of ripe blackberry, plum, mocha, liquorice allsorts and confectionary followed by a touch of vanilla. Full bodied, rich and concentrated with mouthfilling flavours of ripe blackberry, plum, liquorice allsorts, mocha, spice and blackpepper all seamlessly interwoven. Super fine tannins with very long aftertaste of spice, blackberry and liquorice allsorts. A superb Old Block Shiraz.
Cellar 6-8 years (2015-2017)
14.5% Alc