Vintages Release: June 26, 2010

St Hallett Sémillon 2005
Barossa Valley, Australia $19.95 (658005) 12.0% alcohol
Just beginning to show treasured aromatics of toast and honeysuckle, plus kaffir lime leaf, this will handsomely repay a further four or five years careful cellaring. It’s bone dry, medium bodied and nicely textured with ripe pear, nuances of persimmon and a spine of bracing lemon-lime acidity. The crisp refreshing finish showers a spray of white grapefruit and green apple. It’s drinking well now poured with freshly shucked oysters or pan-seared scallops; don’t forget to tuck away a couple, as well. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release – In Store Discovery: September 4, 2010

St Hallett ‘Old Block’ Shiraz 2006 14.5% alcohol
Barossa Valley, South Australia 59.95 (728477) 14.5% alcohol
This flagship wine was sourced from selected parcels of 60-to-100-year-old vines from warmer Barossa Valley sites and cooler Eden Valley fruit. Alluring and seductive on the nose, ripe dark berry, black pepper and dark chocolate aromas billow from this medium-bodied, generously textured gem. It’s well structured, deftly balanced and brimming with flavour and promise. Ripe succulent mulberry, juicy Bing cherry and toasty notes persist on the palate and lingering finish. Every sip is a savoured delight. It will still be drinking beautifully in 2020. (Vic Harradine)