Vibrant aromas of ripe red fruits dominate with juicy red cherries, satsuma plum and hints of tarragon, nutmeg and crushed almond.
The palate reveals a rich and complex fruit profile, with persistent red fruit flavours showcasing cherry compote and mulberry elegantly intertwined with Dutch liquorice, cacao nibs and subtle spice. The spice adds a warmth and complexity to the mid-palate, creating an intriguing dimension. Fine, dense tannins provide structure and a velvety texture, enveloping the mouth without overwhelming it, perfectly framing the fruit and leading to a long, rewarding finish.
Cellar carefully up to 2032
Gold Medal – Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2024
Gold Medal – Hobart Royal Show 2024
97 Points – Ken Gargett – Wine Pilot 2026 – "XX XXXX’s flagship Shiraz from a great vintage, hard not to be excited. The fruit is sourced from old vine vineyards, over a century in age, in both the Barossa and Eden Valleys, before spending a year and a half maturing in French oak hogsheads and puncheons, one quarter of them new. Magenta/maroon in colour, the nose exhibits notes of mulberries, dried herbs, cocoa powder, chocolate, Moroccan spices, plums, cassis, licorice and deft oak integration. This is plush, generous and approachable, seamless and seductive, with great length and silky tannins. Immaculately balanced, this will provide pleasure for the next twenty to thirty years, drinking beautifully along the journey."
96 Points - Ryan Montgomery - JamesSuckling.com 2025 - "Deeply scented aromas of blackberries, licorice, blue fruit and violets. The palate is full-bodied with integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of blood plums, spices, graphite and tobacco leaves. Wonderfully balanced and refined, with a touch of class coming from 100-year-old vines. Excellent. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
96 Points- Ray Jordan – Wine Pilot 2026 - "This was one of the first wines to really highlight the contribution of old vine Barossa shiraz. It's now a combination of slightly more Barossa and about forty-six percent Eden Valley fruit. In fact, the average age of the vines that contribute to Old Block is more than a hundred. It's a lovely, spicy, dark plum, chalky character on the nose with lifted floral red fruits. Positively engaging. The palate weaves its magic with a smooth, seamless integration of plush fruit, fine silky tannins, and well-weighted oak that allows the fruit to fully express itself through to a sustained finish. Cracking good wine, this."
96 Points – Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion 2025 - "This year the subregional blend is 54/46% Barossa Valley/Eden Valley. A dead-set Barossa classic label that's for sure. The fruit depth is as you'd expect, black and opulent with hints of baking spices, licorice, fruitcake, dark chocolate, cedar, dried herbs, panforte and olive tapenade. There's great concentration and depth but there's a great energy to its travel, sailing graceful and poised for a good while on the finish. Cracking wine from a cracking vintage and this will cellar like a champ."
95 Points – Tony Love – Wine Pilot 2026 - "One of the Barossa’s perennially great Shiraz ambassadors, as the name suggests regularly sourced from old vines with a minimum of 40 years under their belt. In this 2021 vintage, that average age is actually 100 years, coming from 54% Barossa Valley and 46% Eden Valley blocks. There’s a genuine rural village vibe in the nose, flint and blacksmithy edges - in a good way - still allowing naturally sweet darker plum and berry fruit flavours to swell and entertain the palate. Oak maturation offers a dark spice and charcoal note, creating a distinctive, complex and expertly balanced Barossa Shiraz."
95 Points – Ken Gargett - Vintage Journal 2025 - "Deep crimson. Pure blackberry, blackcurrant, mocha, espresso aromas. Richly flavoured yet elegantly styled with fresh blackberry pastille, praline flavours, long fine chalky tannins, attractive mid-palate volume and well integrated mocha, hint spice notes. Claret firm with cedar notes at the finish."
