Ripe and rich, there is a lot going on here. Block 9 is only 50 metres away from Block 1, yet the wines contrast in many ways.
From certified organic vines planted in the 1940s, it saw 40% new French oak for 18-20 months. 2400 bottles were produced.
Cropping at less than a tonne per acre, these vines run east to west as opposed to the Block 1 that runs north to south. Block 9 has no topsoil with gravelly loam over white clay whereas Block 1 has more topsoil and sits on sandstone. Given the lack of topsoil, straw mulch has been used since 2021 and the benefits have been clear owner Brett Hayes tells me.
Blustering black berries and plums open the account with licks of sarsaparilla. Dark chocolate, rum 'n' raisin and black earth drive long. It's a mouth-filling as drying tannins swoop on close adding some chew. It certainly showed better over a few days of tasting so a decant or more time in bottle will yield reward.
Drink to ten years+
93/100
Region: Barossa
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