St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2021

Stuart McCloskey, tasted 19th March 2026 “An explosive, utterly captivating perfume, evoking the finest blueberry compote imaginable. Layers of vanilla panna cotta unfold, lavishly draped with pure raspberry and blackberry coulis. From the very first pour, this wine speaks to those who prize hedonistic, unadulterated fruit expression - yet without excess or alcoholic weight. Indulgent, certainly, but delivered with impeccable control. Fruit quality and winemaking is first class.  On the palate, the fruit flows in a seamless, velvet stream of ripe blue and black fruits, echoing that same theme of deep, luxurious compote. The texture is supple and enveloping yet retains a sense of poise and precision that keeps everything beautifully in check.

After 30-minutes in my glass… The perfume: The aromatic parallels to Standish Schubert Theorem are striking, though both wines retain their own identity. Crème de mûre and that signature blueberry compote continues, joined by mulberry jam, bay leaf, iris, and dark pastille fruits. Beneath the fruit - a subtle mineralité and gentle saline nuance lend intrigue and a point of difference. Finally, the faintest suggestion of blood orange provides lift.

Flavour & feel: Mellifluous and expansive, the palate mirrors the perfume - ripe, exotic, and undeniably luxurious. The sweet spice is beautifully judged, while finely sculpted tannins and fresh acidity provide structure and definition. A distinct note of blood orange weaves through the finish, bringing energy and lift.

This is a wine of immediate allure and opulence, with little expectation of significant evolution over the next five years. For those seeking greater secondary complexity, cellar patiently for 10–15 years. Serving suggestion: Best enjoyed in the garden, with venison, and ideally accompanied by a rich, fruit-led sauce that mirrors the wine’s generous profile.”

Gold Medal - Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2024

Huon Hooke, The Real Review 2023 -"Dark, inky and youthful in the glass. Heady aromas of plum conserve, coffee grounds, sweet spice, licorice and oak. Full throttle flavour, big, bold and beautifully Barossa. Opulent, with a core of dark fruit, spice and oak along with grippy, textured tannins and lively acidity. There's lashings of flavour here, but also balance and drinkability."

Dave Brookes, Halliday.com, 27 Novemer 2023 - “Super-deep crimson in the glass with inviting aromas of macerated plum, blackberry, boysenberry and blueberry fruits. Hints of fruit cake spice, licorice, dark chocolate, turned earth, violets, olive tapenade, vanillin oak panforte and roasting meats. It's a classic Barossan style and one that St Hallett does very well, consistently dealing out great examples of what made the region famous across the world. Plush and endearing with superfine powdery tannins and a black-fruited finish that lingers nicely, showing abundant spice and meaty, earthy nuance. You can see why these wines are so well supported, especially so from a vintage as strong as 2021.”