St. Hallett Old Block Shiraz Vertical '94-'99
My Apartment
Tasted Saturday, December 11, 2004 by Blair Curtis with 1,185 views
Introduction
Invited some friends over to do a 6-vintage vertical of the iconic Old Block Shiraz. EBob BB member, Mont Stern was in town for a very short time and I was pleased he and his wife could join us for the tasting. Mont graciously brought a '98 D'Arenberg Dead Arm to compare to the other wines.
Flight 1 - The Old Blocks (6 Notes)
Flight 2 - The Ringer (1 Note)
Closing
Overall, lots of nice Shiraz...I'm going to find a wire brush for my teeth now!
1994 St Hallett Shiraz Old Block 90 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
This was a bit of a surprise - fully resolved and not showing much of a future. Smooth and round with nothing out of place, but lacking verve. Nice ripe plummy fruit, bordering on fat. None of the acidic or tannic backbone expected. A very good bottle, but not outstanding.
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1995 St Hallett Shiraz Old Block 88 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
The counterpoint to the '94 of this. Surprising also, but for the depth of structure in this wine considering the weak vintage. If I'd tasted the '94 and '95 blind, I'm sure I would have confused them based on what I preconceived the structure should be. Where this wine falls short is in refinement, which this wine lacks. There are some rough edges, and the acidity is a bit spiky. Yet the wine has quite a life ahead and the fruit is pretty good.
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1996 St Hallett Shiraz Old Block 93 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
Now we're talking. The first wine in the series that lives up to the reputation. Gorgeous, full floral nose. This wine is classic Old Block - old vines Barossa Shiraz that manages to stay balanced and focussed. Not a bit overblown. Cool, deep, dark fruit. Nice acids and tannins. Long life ahead.
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1997 St Hallett Shiraz Old Block 87 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
A bit of a non-event. Sandwiched between the greats of this series ('96 & '98) this bottle could not impress. Tastes a bit over-ripe and flabby. A little septic on the nose. I've had some good '97s (Elderton's regular Barossa Shiraz comes to mind) but this is not one of the overachievers.
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1998 St Hallett Shiraz Old Block 95 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
This was the big dog of the tasting. If you need proof of the greatness of '98 vis-a-vis other recent S.A. vintages, this tasting provides it. This wine is a home run. The kind of wine that elicits murmurs from tasters when poured and sampled. Full bodied and showing excellent balance and uncommon depth. Not surmature, but perfectly ripe fruit. Freshening acids linger on the long finish. No hurry on this wine whatsoever.
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1999 St Hallett Shiraz Old Block 92 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
A tough act to follow the '98. Yet this wine is just such an overachiever. I've been impressed by this wine each time I've tried it. It lacks a little of everything compared to the '98, but overall, this is a very good Old Block and a very nice Shiraz. Predictably youthful, but still drinking well right now. Blackberries and plums predominate. Good effort for '99.
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