St. Hallett Old Block Shiraz

The Old Block's appeal is its combination of fruit concentration and lifting aromas. However, there are problems with this 1998 St. Hallett Old Block. The colour includes brownish tones and the flavours confirm that most of the fruit is gone. Given this is the appeal of the wine generally, this one falls short. Its structure still holds up, but the wine is past its peak. This is disappointing for a wine of this reputation from a good year. Maybe I am a victim of bottle variation here, but the cork was good and the levels still very high. I am not impressed.

Score: 87/--