James Halliday 95 Points — 150-Year-Old Barossa Vines at an Extraordinarily Honest Price

My Wine Man on Turkey Flat

Turkey Flat is one of the Barossa Valley's most historically significant and quietly celebrated estates — a family property whose vines trace their origins to the 1840s, making them among the oldest continuously producing vineyards in Australia. The Schulz family has farmed Turkey Flat for generations, tending dry-grown Shiraz, Grenache, and Mataro vines that are now approaching 150 years of age — a living connection to the earliest days of Barossa viticulture. Butchers Block is the estate's signature red blend, named after the historic butcher's block that has been part of the property since the 19th century, and it draws on some of the oldest vine material on the estate to produce a wine of extraordinary depth, complexity, and value. As James Halliday noted, the price is extremely low for a wine with such history — and that is precisely why this bottle belongs in your cellar.

Tasting Notes

The 2017 Turkey Flat Butchers Block is a wine of seamless integration and old-vine generosity. Red, blue, and black berry fruits are woven together with effortless harmony — cherry, blueberry, and blackberry in perfect balance — bound by a gently savoury film of tannins and subtle, well-judged oak. The wine is neither heavy nor overworked; it is simply the honest expression of very old vines in a very good vintage, made with the restraint and confidence that only comes from generations of experience. Drink it now with pleasure, or cellar it for many years to come. James Halliday 95 Points.

Style & Drinking Window

Medium to full-bodied with a gently savoury tannin structure, excellent natural balance, and real depth of flavour. A versatile food wine — excellent with roast lamb, grilled beef, slow-braised pork, or aged hard cheese. Drinking beautifully now with 8 years of bottle age, and will continue to develop and reward through 2030–2036.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$188, the 2017 Turkey Flat Butchers Block is, in James Halliday's own words, “extremely low for a wine with such history.” Ninety-five points, 150-year-old Barossa vines, 8 years of bottle age — this is one of the most compelling value propositions in the store, full stop. If you are looking for a serious Barossa red that over-delivers at every level, this is it.

Looking for a Different Style?

- 2022 John Duval Entity Shiraz — a pure Barossa Shiraz from the ex-Penfolds Grange winemaker, for those who want single-variety concentration and pedigree
- 2017 Henschke Keyneton Euphonium — a 95-point Eden Valley Shiraz-Cabernet blend from one of Australia's most celebrated multi-generational estates
- 2022 Torbreck The Steading Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre — a Barossa GSM blend of real generosity and character, for those who want a different take on the multi-variety Barossa red

Life's too short for bad wine.