Bottles purchased at auction ~ 2009, in my cellar since. Almost forgotten, decided it was time to open one. PnP, drank over 2 hours (+next 2 days..).
Dark garnet/purple color, minor separation. Nose showing dark berries, oak, anise, cedar and graphite. Viscous palate, showing dark fruits, black plums, licorice, baking spice, leather. Mid palate repeating most flavors with a bit of the graphite and floral notes. Smooth, rich tongue coating texture. Full bodied and long finish.
Did not have this in its youth, so no palate comparison on its aging. This bottle was in a great spot. The most interesting (pleasant) surprise was the nose showing a Bdx like graphite/pencil characteristic mixed with the aged Aussie fruit. A nice surprise, this bottle showed real depth and complexity. I paid ~$30, for these bottles...not a bad deal 10+ years later for a wine that drinks like this.
Definitely improved a bit over the first hour, a nice wine to linger over - next time a colder weather tasting...Still good on Day 2, 3 - was at its best in the first 2 hours it was open.
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The Block 6 had excellent bottle bouquet upon opening. It is soft and well rounded, but becoming a little flabby. It is very good, but on the decline. Drink now and enjoy.
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It's all about oak and liquorice in this wine. Full bodied with reasonable structure and great depth at 15 years of age but just a little bit too much of everything to me for a really high score. Pretty consistent with previous tastings really. I like it and can see that it would be appealing in its style.
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For mine this wine has not really ever come completely together, it just isn't as seamless as I would have hoped. Maybe it just needs more time but I don't think that is the issue. Quite oaky with a palate flush with licorice, black fruits, mocha and some background spice. Quite full throttle and the alcohol does show but the high quality fruit is what saves it all and just holds it all together. Not really my style of wine any more but can see why it might appeal.
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Quite good. No longer a monolithic monster. Although it's a big wine, it's much more balanced now. Still lots of intense dark fruit, leather and a touch of anise but you get depth, delineation of flavors and some acidity on the back of the palate.
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Seattle Tasting Group does Syrah & Shiraz (Seattle, WA, USA): My bottle. On points this was nipped by the MP Shiraz 9 for WOTN, although subsequently 5 of 8 tasters declared it as their favorite. Anyway, onto the wine. This one really was unique. I found cola, faints hits of licorice and an almost root-beer like element on the nose. On the palate this was a gentle giant, massive extraction, black as night, smooth with a ginger-like sharpness and layers of complex flavor and texture. (Wow am I glad I have 2 more in the cellar!) In my notes all I have is WOW FINISH! I have half a glass of leftovers to sample, and holey Toledo is this one great finish. I was gaga over this, and like the MP 9 this came in at an average of over 93 points.
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11/5/2020 - ipp Likes this wine: 92 Points
aging well. smoke, stone, hints of raisins. browning a bit. 4-5 more years at least.
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8/4/2020 - walkerjfw wrote:
Bottles purchased at auction ~ 2009, in my cellar since. Almost forgotten, decided it was time to open one. PnP, drank over 2 hours (+next 2 days..).
Dark garnet/purple color, minor separation. Nose showing dark berries, oak, anise, cedar and graphite. Viscous palate, showing dark fruits, black plums, licorice, baking spice, leather. Mid palate repeating most flavors with a bit of the graphite and floral notes. Smooth, rich tongue coating texture. Full bodied and long finish.
Did not have this in its youth, so no palate comparison on its aging. This bottle was in a great spot. The most interesting (pleasant) surprise was the nose showing a Bdx like graphite/pencil characteristic mixed with the aged Aussie fruit. A nice surprise, this bottle showed real depth and complexity. I paid ~$30, for these bottles...not a bad deal 10+ years later for a wine that drinks like this.
Definitely improved a bit over the first hour, a nice wine to linger over - next time a colder weather tasting...Still good on Day 2, 3 - was at its best in the first 2 hours it was open.
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5/14/2017 - ipp wrote: 91 Points
The Block 6 had excellent bottle bouquet upon opening. It is soft and well rounded, but becoming a little flabby. It is very good, but on the decline. Drink now and enjoy.
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6/2/2014 - deverett wrote: 90 Points
It's all about oak and liquorice in this wine. Full bodied with reasonable structure and great depth at 15 years of age but just a little bit too much of everything to me for a really high score. Pretty consistent with previous tastings really. I like it and can see that it would be appealing in its style.
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10/13/2011 - deverett wrote: 90 Points
For mine this wine has not really ever come completely together, it just isn't as seamless as I would have hoped. Maybe it just needs more time but I don't think that is the issue. Quite oaky with a palate flush with licorice, black fruits, mocha and some background spice. Quite full throttle and the alcohol does show but the high quality fruit is what saves it all and just holds it all together. Not really my style of wine any more but can see why it might appeal.
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10/10/2010 - Anonymous Likes this wine: 94 Points
Quite good. No longer a monolithic monster. Although it's a big wine, it's much more balanced now. Still lots of intense dark fruit, leather and a touch of anise but you get depth, delineation of flavors and some acidity on the back of the palate.
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5/10/2009 - Screameagle wrote: 93 Points
This shiraz is holding up extremely well. A beauty.
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1/19/2008 - Screameagle wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely gorgeous shiraz that is drinking great now. So happy to have 3 bottles left.
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1/21/2006 - Eric wrote: 91 Points
Seattle Tasting Group does Aussie Shiraz (Bellevue, WA): A little mint, ash, and plum on the nose. A gorgeous, sweet core. Slightly astringent on the finish.
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2/9/2003 - Eric wrote: 96 Points
Seattle Tasting Group does Syrah & Shiraz (Seattle, WA, USA): My bottle. On points this was nipped by the MP Shiraz 9 for WOTN, although subsequently 5 of 8 tasters declared it as their favorite. Anyway, onto the wine. This one really was unique. I found cola, faints hits of licorice and an almost root-beer like element on the nose. On the palate this was a gentle giant, massive extraction, black as night, smooth with a ginger-like sharpness and layers of complex flavor and texture. (Wow am I glad I have 2 more in the cellar!) In my notes all I have is WOW FINISH! I have half a glass of leftovers to sample, and holey Toledo is this one great finish. I was gaga over this, and like the MP 9 this came in at an average of over 93 points.
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