Just wondering what are the opinions of forum members about the 2002 Old Block if they have tried the wine. I have noticed mixed reviews ranging from high 80s point scores to reviews such as that by n4sir:
n4sir wrote:2002 St Hallett Old Block Barossa Shiraz: I first tried this wine last month at CD, and again a few days ago where its structure and raw power stood out a mile while it was still very closed. Last Saturday Stuart Blackwell gave it a good Barossa decant which stripped it of its conservative outer clothing to reveal a sexy, flamboyant wine underneath. Inky crimson/purple colour. A beautifully perfumed, layered and exotic nose of sweet black cherries/plums, star anise, some dried herbs and tea, pepper and chocolate, all supported by spicy/nutty French oak. Those rich, sweet fruit cherry/plum characters laced with exotic spices again stand out on the entry of the palate, growing in intensity and depth mid-palate with chocolate, star anise and simmering blackberries, again with that classy French oak well in the background and those massive tannins providing substantial grunt and hiding the 14.5% alcohol. This is an outstanding wine, one of the best for the label and the 2002 vintage.
Would like to get a perspective before I damage the credit card considerably (especially on a uni student income!!)
Cheers, Jordan
Premierships and great wine... that is what life is all about
Jordan wrote:Just wondering what are the opinions of forum members about the 2002 Old Block if they have tried the wine. I have noticed mixed reviews ranging from high 80s point scores to reviews such as that by n4sir:
n4sir wrote:2002 St Hallett Old Block Barossa Shiraz: I first tried this wine last month at CD, and again a few days ago where its structure and raw power stood out a mile while it was still very closed. Last Saturday Stuart Blackwell gave it a good Barossa decant which stripped it of its conservative outer clothing to reveal a sexy, flamboyant wine underneath. Inky crimson/purple colour. A beautifully perfumed, layered and exotic nose of sweet black cherries/plums, star anise, some dried herbs and tea, pepper and chocolate, all supported by spicy/nutty French oak. Those rich, sweet fruit cherry/plum characters laced with exotic spices again stand out on the entry of the palate, growing in intensity and depth mid-palate with chocolate, star anise and simmering blackberries, again with that classy French oak well in the background and those massive tannins providing substantial grunt and hiding the 14.5% alcohol. This is an outstanding wine, one of the best for the label and the 2002 vintage.
Would like to get a perspective before I damage the credit card considerably (especially on a uni student income!!)
Cheers, Jordan
The tasting note was from last Saturday when Stuart Blackwell gave it a rather violent decant prior to serving - the previous two times (the previous Thursday and a month before at CD) it was very shy and moody. The Saturday tasting was stunning, like watching Salma Hayek stripping out of Librarian's clothing!
I think Steve said it will be in the Blacktongues Super Shiraz line-up the 14th of this month, so if you can wait until then you can see how it fares blind in a group of equally heavy-hitters. Going on last night's tasting form I probably wouldn't recognise it.
Ultimately though Jordan the best advice is to try it for yourself, and formulate your own opinion as to whether it's worth the $$$ - nowdays I virtually buy no label on blind faith.
Cheers for the advice. As my Clonakilla newsletter came today it looks like all purchases are off as a buy my case of 2004 Shiraz Viognier. I will wait to i try the 2002 Old Block and see if i can get it at the retail $57 price point if i want it.
So my order of purchase lis is looking like:
6 X 2004 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier
3 x Kaesler WOMS 2002
6 X Wirra Wirra RSW 2002
6 X Henschke Mt Edlestone2002
6 X St Hallett Old Block 2002 (maybe)
Cheers,
Jordan
Premierships and great wine... that is what life is all about
Jordan wrote:Cheers for the advice. As my Clonakilla newsletter came today it looks like all purchases are off as a buy my case of 2004 Shiraz Viognier. I will wait to i try the 2002 Old Block and see if i can get it at the retail $57 price point if i want it.
So my order of purchase lis is looking like:
6 X 2004 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 3 x Kaesler WOMS 2002 6 X Wirra Wirra RSW 2002 6 X Henschke Mt Edlestone2002 6 X St Hallett Old Block 2002 (maybe)
Cheers,
Jordan
Good luck Jordan with the 2002 Mt Edelstone - I heard last week they've completely sold out at CD. It was $68 there but I've heard it's up to $80 at retailers.
Anonymous wrote:
n4sir wrote:...stunning, like watching Salma Hayek stripping out of Librarian's clothing!
With or without Fridabrow, that's GOT to be worth the dosh
I was thinking more along the lines of "Desperado", but I think you get the idea.
