Saturated ruby. Sappy crushed blackberry aroma lifted by floral and minty components. Urgent dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors offer great sappy freshness and verve. There's nothing raisiny about this nearly painfully delineated shiraz. Extraordinarily penetrating, firmly tannic finish. Aged in American oak but oak was the last thing I noticed. Extraordinary juice. (The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA)

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

Nearly perfect, the opaque black/purple-colored 1998 Shiraz Reserve (2,300 cases) plays to the great strength of Australia -- powerful, naturally-textured, super-rich wines that are big and chewy. Exceptionally rich and explosive, with great purity as well as remarkable symmetry and overall balance for such massiveness, this blockbuster can be drunk now or cellared for 12-15 years. Make no doubt about it, this Shiraz will elicit more than a few "wows" in any tasting - blind or otherwise.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

Firm, juicy and jam-packed with fruit, a lively mouthful of blackberry, plum and pepper flavors that linger with nice hints of vanilla and spice on the polished finish. 2,300 cases made.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

98 RP