Shiraz 100%.
From the historic Block 21, Taltarni’s oldest Shiraz vines planted in the late 1960s, this single-parcel wine is a precise expression of the 2023 Pyrenees vintage. A cold, wet growing season and notably delayed ripening shaped a wine of brightness, tension and detail, with lifted aromatics, vibrant natural acidity and finely etched tannins.
The 30% whole bunch inclusion brings aromatic lift and savoury nuance, layering dark cherry, blackcurrant and Szechuan pepper notes with subtle spice and stalk-derived complexity. Fermentation was managed with heading-down boards and minimal pump-overs to retain fruit purity and build fine-grained structure without over-extraction. Malolactic fermentation was completed in 30% new and seasoned French oak barriques, adding gentle texture, spice and support while allowing the vineyard character to remain at the fore.
On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and tightly wound, driven by a core of red and black fruits, persistent acidity and a long, mineral-edged finish. This is a site-driven Shiraz defined by poise, savoury detail and age-worthy structure, capturing both the resilience of the season and the unmistakable character of Block 21.
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Previously known as ‘Old Block’ – the Old Vine Series was created to showcase the traditions of our winery and the elegance that can be attained from old vines in our Pyrenees vineyard. Taltarni was founded on these big, beautiful reds; they’re our pedigree.
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Drink now or cellar for 10 – 20 years.
The 2022 vintage in the Pyrenees, Victoria, was shaped by a cooler and extended growing season, which allowed for gradual ripening and excellent flavour development in red varieties. These conditions contributed to wines with vibrant acidity, refined tannins, and deeply concentrated fruit characters. The moderate temperatures and well-timed rainfall led to balanced canopy growth and ideal conditions for flavour accumulation, with fruit harvested at optimal ripeness.
Sourced from the oldest Shiraz vines on the Taltarni estate (Block 21), planted in the late 1960s, this wine is the product of careful vineyard management. Yields were kept below 5 tonnes per hectare through fruit and shoot thinning to ensure concentration and balance. From harvest, this parcel was treated separately in the winery to preserve its distinctive qualities and expression of site.
Hand-harvested in the cool morning hours, the fruit was destemmed into a small open-top fermenter, with 30% retained as whole bunches. Fermentation was inoculated and the cap managed primarily through heading-down boards, with minimal pump-overs to encourage gentle extraction. Over a 10-day ferment at elevated temperatures, fine tannins and vivid red fruit notes developed, capturing both delicacy and the distinct terroir of Block 21.
Malolactic fermentation was initiated toward the end of primary ferment and completed in a mix of 30% new and seasoned French oak barriques. The result is a wine of impressive structure and complexity, reflecting the character of the 2022 vintage and the enduring quality of our old vines.
Pair with roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.
Alcohol: 14.1%
pH: 3.96
Acidity (TA): 5.80 g/L
Pyrenees, Victoria.
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