2002 Oliver's Taranga Shiraz

The opaque ruby-colored 2002 Shiraz exhibits terrific fruit intensity, voluminous, beautifully textured, full-throttled flavors, low acidity, and tremendous purity as well as intensity with the oak component kept well in the background. It should drink well for 7-10 years.

Author: Robert Parker

($45) Dark red. Blackberry, roasted plum and cassis aromas, with rich suggestions of chocolate, vanilla and coffee. Full and thick, with a viscous, mouth-coating texture verging on colloidal. Despite the wine's breadth and weight, the blackberry and spicy cherry flavors remain juicy and bright. Clings to the palate on the finish, with echoing notes of ripe, dark berries and fudge and little obvious tannin. (The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA)

Author: Josh Raynolds

Issue: September/October 2005

Dense and chewy, with a crisp edge to the cedary blueberry and stewed plum flavors, finishing with firm tannins.

Author: Harvey Steiman