NOSE - Lifted wood smoke coupled with nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla spice. Fresh berry coulis and cocoa nib round out the powerful lift.

PALATE - Sweet black fruit entry with plum and black cherry combined with dark chocolate and some savouriness in the form of rendered duck fat. The tight dark and dense tannins wrap around the fruit and spice creating a rich and velvet like texture with direction and superb length.

PEAK DRINKING - Now or with careful cellaring over 10 years

FOOD MATCH - Pair with Osso Bucco or slow roasted lamb shoulder.

95 Points - Wine Pilot - Tony Love 2025 - "Following the St Hallett methodology of focusing on district orientations for specific wines, this leading light in their Barossa Shiraz portfolio is sourced from the northern end of the region, including vineyards in the Greenock, Moppa and Ebenezer parishes. Dark fruits, classic Satsuma and blackberry, and immediately sophisticated in its expression, both wafting out of the glass and tasting within. The palate has all the Shiraz fruit concentration imaginable yet bursting with crunchy crimson plum acidity for astonishing freshness given how deeply it is infused with intense Barossa Shiraz richness."

95 Points - Wine Pilot - Regan Drew 2025 - "First released in 1994 to celebrate head winemaker Stuart Blackwell (who is an excellent birdlife photographer, by the way) for over 30 years of service. With fruit mostly from the Northern end of the Barossa Valley and matured in American oak. Deep and fragrant: baking spices, rose petals, hibiscus flower, cocoa, blackberry and grilled blood plum. Oak influenced tones of bourbon and vanilla bean paste, along with chocolate brownie give a comforting wrap overall. Layered and complex. The tannins are ripe and elegant, supporting the full-bodied structure holding that potent"