St Hallett Higher Earth Syrah 2019

Stuart McCloskey, tasted May 2025 "Australia is not a one trick pony. Moreover, vintage variation is, as per this release, clearly evident. What a contrast compared to the 2018 (I sampled these side-by-side). There’s a touch more warmth to the bouquet (alcohol levels are the same). Iodine, Chinese five spice, saddle leather, ink, graphite, Autumnal brambling fruits, exotic florals and liquorice. This is seriously brooding, heady, and portrays a wine that was picked during the winter months (of course, it was not). Game notes emerge with more air as does a strong scent of the shoreline and beef broth. I love this. This is so intriguing and difficult to put down. Deeply complex.  The palate provides the same silken qualities as the ’18. Flavours are dialled-up a few notches – there’s concentration without being overworked (nothing is forced). I love the interplay between the ripe, black and blue fruits, a soupçon of coffee, and the lengthy tannins which melt away into giddy deliciousness. The finish is remarkable. Actually, I’m not sure it has an end point. This is so sexy and utterly seamless… The polish and sumptuousness are off the scale. Remember, this is all natural and not overdone. Please do not buy on the whim of one-point. Read the notes (mine are dated 16 May 2025) and I spent the morning with both. This is unstoppable and will continue to evolve (for the better) over the next 10-years. Two different wines and two different journeys. Both playing to a specific mood and tempo. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware…"

95 Points - Dave Brookes, Halliday.com 16 August 2022 "I've been impressed in recent years by the quality of St Hallett's forays into the Eden Valley and their take on syrah from the higher ground. From the dry and low-yielding 2019 vintage, the picture is again one of elegance and grace. The fruit is more in the spectrum of black cherry and dark plum, with plentiful spice, purple floral high-tones and crushed-quartz tannins, impressive detail and clarity, and a finish that lingers nicely with memories of cherry and spice."

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