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St Hallett Blackwell Barossa Shiraz 2006 We all knew that James Halliday had rated the 2006 St Hallett Blackwell Barossa Shiraz 96 points but we didn't know what he had to say about it. Well here it is: Delivers imediate intensity from the first sip, blackberry fruit enhanced by nuances of licorice; has tremendous vitality and thrust to the long palate and finish. Drink no to 2026. 96 points James Halliday The 2006 vintage in time will be remembered as one of the great Barossa Shiraz years. Nearly all the wines I have tasted have been beautifully expressive, rich and opulent and built with a platform of power and finesse. They will drink well early but also have the capacity to age for many years to come. The 2006 St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz had somehow escaped my attention until James Halliday awarded this wine 96 points in his upcoming Wine Companion and I thought it would be a wise move if I tried a bottle for myself. Wise move indeed. This wine absolutely blew me away, I gave it 95 points but it could have so easily been 96 points as well. It is a classic example of why Barossa Shiraz is recognised as one of the great wines (styles) in the world. This wine, available for $27.99 a bottle would have to be considered as one of the great bargains’ in the wine world. You could pay $100 for this wine and you wouldn’t blink an eyelid. James Halliday gave this wine 96 points in his upcoming Wine Companion book and being from such a great Barossa vintage (2006), I thought I would give it a try. Well, it seems Halliday was spot on the money. Deep purple (almost black) in colour, the nose is a mix of fruitcake, dark chocolate, plum, hints of cherries and mocha. It is oppulent yet refined all at the same time. The palate is a beautiful expression of Barossa Shiraz with warm chocolate, mocha, plums and spice tannins to finish. This really blew me away. Cellar 10 years 95 points Anthony D'Anna IN deference to the Shiraz Alliance and to the Barossa's dominance of it, these are the wines from the Barossa that scored 96 points in the upcoming Wine Companion, arranged in alphabetical order: 2005 Gibson Barossavale Australian Old Vine Collection; 2006 Glaetzer Amon Ra; 2002 Grant Burge Meshach; 2006 Groom; 2005 John Duval Eligo; 2006 John Duval Entity; 2005 Peter Lehmann The 1885; 2005 Rolf Binder Veritas Hanisch; 2006 Schubert Estate Gooseyard Block; 2006 St Hallett Blackwell; 2005 Torbreck The Factor; 2004 Torbreck RunRig; 2004 Trevor Jones Reserve Wild Witch; and 2006 Turkey Flat. James Halliday in The Australian The holy grail of diversity, June 7, 2008 There’s a lot going on in the inky depths with black raspberry and dark cherries, liquorice, pepper, spice and toasty roast coconut macaroon oak in support (certainly not the lead role). Rich and deeply fruited but fresh and vigorous with a mix of red and black fruits, chocolate, aniseed, new leather and spicy flavours. It has plentiful firm fine grained tannins and a long dry finish. A superb expression of Barossa Shiraz. Drink : 2009 - 2018+ 95 points Gary Walsh Grapes are sourced from mature, dry grown vines, some over eighty years old, distinguished old Barossa sites which yield relatively small amounts of highly concentrated fruit. Each parcel of Shiraz is individually matched to one of a selection of American oak barrels in which the wine spends two years maturing and gaining considerable texture and power prior to release. The fruit is picked at full ripeness to gain optimum power and concentration of fruit flavour and a dense, inky colour. The selected vineyard sites all contriute to the personality of St Hallett Blackwell, a splendid red of power and brooding density, big and bold, dominated by it's fruit but well weighted with understated oak. Garnet red colour gives rise to an expectation of concentration and power. The colour and bouquet speak volumes about the palate, the bouquet is pure opulence expressing the intensity and inky density of the wine. The palate unleashes dense, rich, dark chocolate and a powerful array of dark blackberry fruits flavours. Deep, smoky, oak-accented dark berry and cherry liqueur aromas are complemented by mocha and dried flowers. Sweet dark fruit flavors are overlaid by powerful oak spice, with supple tannins adding structure. Stephen Tanzer's, Dark and dense, but not heavy, with ripe blueberry and cherry flavors among the cream and spice notes that mingle on the polished finish! -Winespectator.com As one of the Barossa's premium winemakers St Hallett sources Shiraz grapes from a number of different vineyard sites in both the Barossa and Eden Valleys. The common factor with all grapes destined for the Blackwell Shiraz and flagship Old Block Shiraz is they come from vineyards aged from 70 up to 100 years. Mature, dry grown vineyards such as these produce tiny yields of highly concentrated fruit, and result in a wine style that is quite unique to the Barossa. St Hallett understandably continues to ride the Shiraz fashion wave, but all its wines are honest and well-priced. Blackwell Shiraz, named after long-term winemaker Stuart Blackwell, fits in between Faith Shiraz and Old Block. James Halliday