Talbots Block Wines

Thanks to careers in government and the oil industry, Alex and Bill Talbot started their journey to wine in 1997 while working and living at Woomera in the SA desert. They purchased land in the Sevenhill area of the Clare Valley, having fallen in love with the place, and dreamed of some day making wine for their friends. They then moved to various places in Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Singapore, their minds always returning to their Sevenhill vineyard. They now live in the house they built high on the block, with views across the vineyard, and have the opportunity to tend the vines whenever they please. Initially the grapes were sold but since 2012 they have kept enough of the production to have around 1000 dozen made across their 2 distinctly different shiraz styles. The labels are striking and evocative. -JAMES HALLIDAY