St Hallett Faith Shiraz

St Hallett Faith Shiraz is a Barossa Valley Shiraz (750ml, 14.5% ABV) blending depth and drinkability from one of South Australia's most respected wine regions. The 2023 vintage earned a Silver Medal at the 2024 Royal Adelaide Wine Show, while Wine Pilot awarded the 2024 vintage 93 points — consistent recognition that underscores this wine's reliable quality across releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Barossa Valley, South Australia  |  Varietal: Shiraz (98%) with Durif (2%)  |  Producer: St Hallett Wines

Production & Heritage

St Hallett has been a cornerstone of the Barossa Valley wine community, earning a reputation for Shiraz that captures the region's generous warmth without losing finesse. The Faith Shiraz is built from over 200 individually selected and separately vinified parcels of Shiraz each vintage — a meticulous approach that allows the winemaking team to tailor fermentation and maturation for each parcel before final blending. Fermentation runs between six and eight days at a controlled 22–24°C to preserve bright fruit character, after which the wine matures for nine months in a combination of American and French oak barrels. The result is a wine that balances the richness Barossa is known for with a lively, approachable structure, with the small addition of Durif contributing extra color and tannic backbone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark plum and blackberry lead the nose, followed by layers of mocha, charry oak, and brown baking spice. A subtle earthy undertone and hints of coal add complexity beneath the fruit-driven top notes.

Taste: The palate opens with bitter dark chocolate and mocha before giving way to a core of black cherry, ripe plum, and blackberry. Mid-palate, cracked black pepper and cedar weave through the fruit, while the combination of American and French oak contributes vanilla and toast. The texture is richly weighted with velvety tannins balanced by crisp acidity that keeps the wine from feeling heavy.

Finish: Medium to long, with lingering plum, earthy spice, and a thread of rustic tannin that dries cleanly. Dark chocolate and pepper notes persist as the fruit gradually fades.

How to Drink Faith Shiraz

This Shiraz is built for immediate enjoyment. Serve at around 16–18°C — slightly below full room temperature — to keep the fruit vibrant and the tannins soft. It drinks well on its own or alongside food, and its generous fruit and structured tannins make it a strong foundation for red wine cocktails. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well with the Faith's dark fruit and spice profile. A Red Wine Sangria benefits from the wine's natural plum and berry intensity, holding up against citrus and brandy additions. For something simpler, a Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a twist of orange showcases the bright cherry and spice notes in a lighter format.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want a full-flavored red without opening a special bottle
• Introducing someone to Barossa Valley Shiraz for the first time
• BBQ gatherings with grilled lamb or beef
• Casual gifting for red wine lovers who appreciate Australian Shiraz

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Faith Shiraz taste like? Faith Shiraz delivers rich dark berry fruit — blackberry, plum, and dark cherry — layered with mocha, dark chocolate, black pepper, and toasty cedar. It is full-bodied with velvety tannins and enough acidity to keep it lively and balanced.

How does Faith Shiraz compare to Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz? Both are accessible, fruit-forward Barossa-region Shiraz wines at a similar price tier, but Faith Shiraz tends to show more complexity from its multi-parcel blending approach and nine months in oak. Wolf Blass Yellow Label is typically lighter in body and leans more toward bright red fruit, while Faith delivers a darker, more textured profile with notable mocha and spice depth.

Is Faith Shiraz good for drinking on its own? Yes — Wine Enthusiast has described it as "a terrific example of drink-now pleasure from the Barossa," and its combination of ripe fruit, balanced tannins, and moderate acidity makes it an easy and satisfying pour without food.

Where is Faith Shiraz made? Faith Shiraz is produced by St Hallett Wines in the Barossa Valley, South Australia — one of Australia's most acclaimed Shiraz-producing regions, known for its warm climate, ancient soils, and some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world.

What foods pair well with Faith Shiraz? Grilled lamb chops work beautifully, as the wine's pepper and dark fruit echo the char and richness of the meat. Slow-cooked beef brisket matches the wine's full body and smoky oak notes. Aged cheddar or Manchego bring out the mocha and spice layers. Mushroom risotto highlights the earthy undertones, while dark chocolate desserts complement the wine's cocoa-driven finish.

What sizes does Faith Shiraz come in? Faith Shiraz is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Faith Shiraz worth the price? Faith Shiraz positions as an entry-level to mid-range Barossa Valley Shiraz, and its multi-parcel blending, nine months of oak maturation, and consistent award recognition — including a Silver Medal at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show — deliver quality that competes well above its price tier.

Why Faith Shiraz?

What separates Faith Shiraz from the crowded field of Australian Shiraz is the sheer granularity of its blending process: over 200 individual vineyard parcels are vinified and matured separately before the final wine is assembled. That level of attention at this price point is uncommon and results in a wine that punches above its weight in complexity. The 2017 vintage earned a Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, and consistent Silver Medal and 90+ point scores across recent vintages confirm this is not a one-off success. For anyone looking for a Barossa Shiraz that delivers genuine regional character — dark fruit, spice, and oak-driven richness — without demanding a special-occasion budget, Faith is a reliable and rewarding choice.