St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 2016

This is the flagship of St Hallett's wines and has become one of the great icons of Australian wine. The 2016 Old Block Shiraz is a blend of fruit from the Barossa Valley (51%) and the Eden Valley (49%). The average age of the vines is 92 years old. The Barossa component provides the fundamental core of blackberry fruit, while the higher altitude Eden Valley component adds the cooler climate spicy elements and some savoury texture. 

"Very deep, youthfully bright purple/red colour, the bouquet savoury, oak-tinged and coconutty, shouting American oak. The wine is full-bodied and firm, loaded with flavour and backed by a firm spine of tannins, some of which are oaky. Good depth, concentration and fleshiness: it just needs time."  Huon Hooke

"Originally from the St Hallett Old Block vineyard this wine was first made by Robert O’Callaghan and Stuart Blackwell in 1980. To qualify for Old Block Shiraz the vineyards must be planted on their own rootstock and be more than 50 years old. The oldest vineyard used to create the 2016 Old Block was planted in 1856 whilst the youngest 1963, with an average of 92 years.

Now, with the 34th vintage release, the wine has evolved from a single block into a selection of the best old blocks from the Barossa and Eden Valleys. As the fruit is sourced from around five growers in Barossa and Eden Valleys each parcel comes to the winery and is fermented separately. Once the wine achieves balance on tasting it is pressed off skins and goes directly to barrel where it will age for 12-18 months. Prior to blending each barrel is assessed for balance and flavour integration to ensure absolute premium quality in the final wine."  Helen McCarthy, Chief Winemaker

"Vibrant crimson appearance with slight brick hue. A vibrant and lifted bouquet of dark cherry, raspberry and violets, with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and slight camphor-like character also present. Elegant and incredibly well integrated. Full bodied and silky with the trademark seamlessness of Old Block.  Immediately on the palate are rich dark fruits, and layers of dark and black cherry, while anise and hints of white pepper slowly unfold. Beautifully balanced acid and tannin with a long, supple finish. Peak drinking: 2040 – 2050."  St Hallett

Expert reviews

"92yo vines, hand-picked, tank and open fermenters, 10 days on skins, matured in French hogsheads and puncheons (25% new) for 18 months. As magnificently rich and deeply flavoured as expected. Blackberry and blackcurrant, then a move to licorice, onto cedary oak and supple tannin providing texture and structure. Drink by 2046."  James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 97 points and Special Value Wine  ★ 

"Very deep, youthfully bright purple/red colour, the bouquet savoury, oak-tinged and coconutty, shouting American oak. The wine is full-bodied and firm, loaded with flavour and backed by a firm spine of tannins, some of which are oaky. Good depth, concentration and fleshiness: it just needs time. Drink 2022-2036."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 95 points

"This has aromas of camphor, blueberry, blackberry and spiced plum, as well as black tea, violet and bergamot. The palate has a very plush, intense feel with rich blackberries, framed in nicely tailored tannins. Medium to full body. Will age well. Try from 2024."  James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com - 94 points

"Deep, purple/red fruited, the oak a coffeed background shade, the palate ripe and blueberried, plush, round, and alcoholic. It’s not heavy, not hearty, more plush. Enjoyable too. But then it finishes tart, a bit warm and round. It says 'I love you' but the hug is a bit perfunctory. Generous, but a little simple too. I admire the length, the concentration, the Barossa black fruit core. This is indeed quality wine, hence the gold medal score. But I think I’ve loved previous vintages just a little bit more. Best drinking: now and for at least 15 years."  Andrew Graham, Australian Wine Review – 94 points 

"Compared to the two other St Hallett Shiraz offerings, the 2016 Old Block Shiraz delivers an extra level of intensity. Mixed red and black berry fruit comes across as a bit tart and structured, clearly meant for aging. It's full-bodied but angular at this age, with the fine-grained tannins showing a bit too prominently for current consumption. Despite the name, it's actually a blend of old-vine parcels in both the Barossa Valley (51%) and Eden Valley (49%), the youngest having been planted in 1963, while the oldest dates to 1856. Drink: 2023 - 2035."  Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate - 94 points

Awards

Special Value Wine – Halliday Wine Companion  ★ 

About the winery

Established in 1944 by the Lindner Family, St Hallett represents the very spirit and soul of winemaking in the Barossa. For most of that time it was owned, or part-owned, by one family, the pioneering Lindners, who arrived in the Barossa from Silesia in 1838. In 2017, St Hallett was acquired by Accolade. 

St Hallett sources all grapes from within the Barossa and is synonymous with the region's icon variety, shiraz. From the beginning, St Hallett understood the importance of saving old vines and focusing on varieties that thrive in the Barossa region. Strong long-term relationships with focused and passionate growers give St Hallett access to the Barossa's most prized vineyards, some of which were planted over 100 years ago. Over the years, St Hallett has built up a deep understanding of the rich tapestry of vineyard sites and climates in the Barossa and sources the finest vines and highest-quality parcels of fruit the Barossa can offer.

Old Block Shiraz (using grapes from Lyndoch and Eden Valley) is their flagship wine, supported by Blackwell Shiraz (using grapes from Greenock, Ebenezer and Moppa Hills).