2021 Estate Shiraz Block 9
2021 Estate Shiraz Block 9
($59.50 Wine Club price)
A 100% Old Vine Shiraz grown on our Certified Organic home vineyard in Stone Well in the Western Barossa Valley. Block 9 is a special Shiraz Block, planted in the 1940s, mid slope and facing South. Protected from the Western Sun (the rows run east west) and dry grown for much of the time since being planted. The soils are thin, the conditions very tough. Matured for 20 months in a mix of new and second use French Oak Hogseads, before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Block 9 is typically our favoured block on our estate vineyard. The soil in this section of the vineyard is very shallow gravelly loam over white clay and hard lime. This block runs east to west and naturally crops very low as a result of the limited topsoil and tough growing conditions.
The wine has all the hallmarks of the Stone Well area - dense fruit balanced by abundant natural tannins. Slightly bolder fruit then its fellow single Block cousins. A wine that will cellar extremely well in the right cellar conditions.
Technical Tasting Notes
2021 ESTATE BLOCK 9 SHIRAZ
GROWING SEASON
The 2021 Barossa Valley vintage will be remembered as an almost faultless season after the challenging years that preceded it. Good spring rains meant that for the first time in many years we entered the growing season with good soil moisture levels. A warm dry growing season followed, with balanced and healthy canopies producing an average crop of extremely high quality fruit. Certainly the best in a decade, maybe longer. The good news is that flavours and colours (in reds) and overall quality is exceptional. A truly great Barossa vintage in the making.
TASTING NOTE
Our Single Block Estate Stone Well Shiraz comes from Block 9 of our Estate Vineyard in Stone Well. This Vineyard and resulting Wine are Certified Organic. The soil in this section of the vineyard is very shallow gravelly loam over white clay and hard lime. This block runs east to west and naturally crops very low. The wine has all the hallmarks of the Stone Well area - bright purple red hue, blackberry and earth, full bodied. The dense fruit is balanced by abundant natural tannins. Slightly bolder fruit then its fellow single Block cousins. A wonderful wine from the best vintage this century. A wine that will cellar extremely well in the right cellar conditions.
SPECIFICATIONS
Region: Barossa Valley
Sub Region: Stone Well
Variety: Shiraz
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 1540 bottles
Cellaring: 5 years
Winemaker: Andrew Seppelt
Download Technical Tasting Notes 2022 Vintage ➝
Download Technical Tasting Notes 2021 Vintage ➝
Reviews
2022 Estate Shiraz Block 9
Steve Leszczynski (www.qwinereviews.com)
94 Points - More aromatic than its Block 1 sibling down the hill, this Hayes Family Wines Block 9 is richer and more generous. Strap in for a most impressive single vineyard Shiraz. From certified organic vines planted in the 1940s, it saw 40% new French oak for 18-20 months. 800 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.
Scents of dried petals and bright red fruit usher you forward before blackberries and dark plums get to work. With a hint of cola, there is some Cherry Ripe slice appeal with cocoa and dark chocolate highlights. Dark fruits reign supreme and run long partnered by fine exotic spices. A ripping wine of tremendous quality, this will reward the patient for many years.
Drink to ten years+
2021 Estate Shiraz Block 9
Stuart Knox (Real Review)
95 Points - Ink black core into a deep stained rim. Plums, mocha, and dark slate aromas. Intense and powerful but with control and poise as well. There are ample dark fruits, hints of oak spices and a deep meaty undertone, all ensuring you remain captivated as it flows long and deep to the finish 08 FEB 2023
2023–2038
NED GOODwin (jamessuckling.com)
97 Points - An extremely exciting producer, relatively new on the Barossan scene. At least to me. The tannins across each wine, beautifully rendered. Immaculate. A feeling of infusion over aggressive extraction, serving the pulpy fruit and bumptious nature of the region's wines very well. Plush and full-bodied, but uncannily fresh, fragrant and beautifully poised. Think violet, anise, clove, cinnamon, tamarind and cardamon. Exotic Moroccan whiffs of incense sort of stuff, with plenty of blue and black fruit in the mix. A long, refined and effortless finish, with the pithy linger of well-managed tannins. Drink or hold.
Dave brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)
95 Points - Certified organic shiraz from Hayes Block 9 in Stone Well, made by Andrew Seppelt. Deep, purple-edged crimson in the glass with aromas of ironstone-flecked blackberry, black cherry and blood plum supported by hints of baking spices, shoyu, licorice, dark chocolate, earth, iodine and roasting meats. There's a deep fruit presence here, powdery tannins melting back into the wine with super-rich black fruits, spice and veal jus notes on the long finish. Impressive stuff from an excellent vintage.
2020 Estate Shiraz Block 9
Steve Leszczynski (www.qwinereviews.com)
93 Points - Keep heading directly past the cellar door at Hayes Family Wines and you'll land in Block 9. These 70+ year old certified organic vines are dry-grown on a thin layer of soil. The vines struggle and that was highlighted furthermore in 2020 - the third successive drought year. This is a keeper that deserves time in the cellar.
There is a strong cedary oak presence early but that tells me that this is a wine built for later - not now. Rich dark fruits coil themselves around the mouth. Dark chocolate, soy and pan juices add savoury appeal. Quite moreish, the finish is long and persistent and draped in fine spices. With only 300 bottles produced, this is a Barossa Shiraz that will reward the patient.
Drink to ten years+
2019 Estate Shiraz Block 9
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