From Hayes' certified organic vines planted in the 1940s, this Block 1 Shiraz is a wine that provides much contemplation.
This Block 1 vineyard produces dark fruit with a little more prettiness than its Block 9 sibling less than 50 metres up the hill. Cropping at two tonnes per acre, there is more topsoil on the flat where this vineyard lies and the roots dive deep into sandstone and clay. It saw 40% new French oak for 18-20 months. 2000 bottles were produced.
Dark chocolate torte, concentrated berry fruits, dried purple flowers and a hint of lavender make a determined and powerful entrance. The fruit offers fistfuls of density and the oak is a little obtrusive early on but the generosity of the fruit shields it. A wine made for later, the two components will merge better with more bottle age and that was proven on the second and third day of tasting. The flavour profile stains the palate with respectable density and weight. Fine baking spices and pepper are scattered on a persistent and moreish finish. Decant well or hold, either way, you win.
Drink to ten years+
95/100
Region: Barossa
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