Blackjack Block 6 Shiraz 2019

The Blackjack Winery produces some of the Bendigo region's best Shiraz and has a large and loyal following. Lovers of full-bodied, rich flavoured Victorian wines will not be disappointed. The two flagship wines are the Blackjack Shiraz and the Block 6 Shiraz. 

Block 6 is a special patch of Shiraz vines planted in 1998, 10 years later than the other vines. It is situated on Castlemaine sandstone gravel rather than the old granitic soils of the rest of the vineyard, and the different soil and a different clonal material result in a wine closer to the French Rhône style. 

"Blackjack shines here with shiraz, its star grape, in a display of sensitive winemaking. Sensitive in that it allows the fruit space to impress – gloriously so – in waves of fresh black and blue fruits, earth, high spice and blackstrap licorice with a light savoury flourish. Length is impressive; so, too, the firm, ripe tannins. Ageing is assured."  Jeni Port 

Expert reviews

"Hand-picked fruit, open-fermented with hand plunging 3-4 times a day, then pressed to tank. Matured in French oak. Blackjack shines here with shiraz, its star grape, in a display of sensitive winemaking. Sensitive in that it allows the fruit space to impress – gloriously so – in waves of fresh black and blue fruits, earth, high spice and blackstrap licorice with a light savoury flourish. Length is impressive; so, too, the firm, ripe tannins. Ageing is assured. Drink by 2032."  Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion – 91 points

"Sweet, plummy, cookie dough aromas, there's also a touch of spice and vanilla. Full-flavoured, sweet plums, oak and spice, there's a generosity of flavour and a roundness that ensures real drinkability. The tannins have a presence and give the wine shape and structure. Drink: 2021–2031."  Aaron Brasher, The Real Review - 90 points

About the winery

Winemakers Ian McKenzie and Ken Pollock

Ian McKenzie and Ken Pollock planted vines in 1988 on the Blackjack Vineyard, an old apple orchard in the Harcourt Valley in the foothills of Mt Alexander. Although just south of Bendigo, the climate is considerably cooler, and normally blessed with 'Indian Summer' autumns – cool nights and warm clear days – that allow the grapes to slowly ripen. The soil is mostly very old granitic soil that is not overly fertile. The vineyard is hand-pruned and hand-harvested. 

In 1998 a special patch of Shiraz vines, Block 6, was planted on Castlemaine sandstone gravel, rather than the old granitic soils of the other vines. The different soil and a different clonal material result in a wine closer to the French Rhône style.

BlackJack Wines is named after an American sailor who jumped ship during the Gold Rush era of the 1850s. In search of his fortune, BlackJack found his way to the Castlemaine Goldfields and into the history of the region, with a road adjacent to BlackJack vineyard still bearing his name.

Blackjack’s core range is the Estate grown wines, namely, the Blackjack Shiraz, the Block 6 Shiraz and the Blackjack Cabernet Merlot, supported by Chortle’s Edge Shiraz, which the winery lovingly call their 'Monday to Thursday' wine.