Block 6 Shiraz

…Aromatically, the wine is sweet and creamy, reminiscent of blackberry pie, with the shortcrust pastry and custard base included in the picture. As the wine is swirled in the glass, more savory spice nuances are introduced, and we start to see Amaro herbs, paprika, sandalwood, grated nutmeg, bone broth and roast beef crust, all of it sitting well within the 13.5% alcohol framing. This is rich, deep and dark but not heavy, and I find that most pleasurable. On the palate, the tannins really step up the game, and they infuse the fruit with a savory framework of pliable structure. This is the key to the success of the wine: the effect of light and dark, sweet and savory, Yin and Yang, harnessed with aplomb.

…Sumptuous aromas of smoked meats, cloves, iodine, boysenberries and a potpourri of dried purple flowers. The oak is well integrated into the fruit and other flavors, releasing the greater whole into an endless finish. Thoroughly impressive.

This release represents a significant change at this address from a culture of rich wines from old vines and traditional winemaking, at least in an Australian sense, to one of earlier harvesting and a grasp for freshness. Sure, the ancient vines remain. Yet despite the palpable intensity and drive, there is a twiggy dryness, a paucity of amplitude and a generosity that is synergistic with an early harvest window. Olive and dark fruits, sure. Time may bestow further beauty. I score with the benefit of the doubt in mind. Drink or hold.

This release represents a significant change at this address from a culture of rich wines from old vines and traditional winemaking, at least in an Australian sense, to one of earlier harvesting and a grasp for freshness. Sure, the ancient vines remain. Yet despite the palpable intensity and drive, there is a twiggy dryness, a paucity of amplitude and a generosity that is synergistic with an early harvest window. Olive and dark fruits, sure. Time may bestow further beauty. I score with the benefit of the doubt in mind. Drink or hold.

Cellar Selection

From very low-yielding 132-year-old vines in the heart of McLaren Vale, this opens with winter warming spice, licorice and warm pavement notes that add layers to the blackberry and currant fruit. There's some milky coffee-like barrel influence here, too, but it's well-placed. The palate is tighter, more fruit driven than the nose, with powerful, raspy tannins. This could cellar another two decades.

Blackberries, blackcurrants, dried herbs, dark chocolate and savory roasted meat on the nose. A hint of sweet violets, too. Full body with plush tannins. Structured, with a very saline core of dark fruit. Flavorful, concentrated and long, but here is the heads-up ꟷ this is on the verge of being overly salty. Drink of hold.

A concentrated, plush, velvety wine with no gaps in its outlay of flavor in the mouth. It is clearly built for long haulage, and it shows all the signs of aging gracefully and slowly in the cellar…This wine is lovely, dark and deep, with miles to go in the cellar it keeps.

Fine bonded. Powerful, sure, but there is a stridency to the fruit rather than a stolidness. Maritime Shiraz, at its best, has a cooler side to violet, bergamot, boysenberry, anise and clove scents.

Notes of bark and dusty earth add complexity to the red berry aromas. With its ample, moderately dry tannins this has clearly been built to age. This self-confidently dry style may not be for everyone, but we find this well balanced at the long firm finish.

The cedar, grilled meat and vanilla accents are there, but they're just part of a compelling package…Full-bodied and concentrated it's structured yet supple, powerful yet elegant, with a long, velvety finish, imply a terrific example of Block 6 - perhaps the best I've had the privilege to taste.