1998 The Factor

A stunning effort is the 1998 The Factor. This 100% Shiraz cuvee of 240 cases is made from 50-130-year old vines. No new oak is used, although some of the press wine does see new American oak. Supple, with a telltale, ostentatious bouquet of black fruits intermixed with smoke, licorice, and melted asphalt, this super-extracted, velvety-textured, sumptuous, pure, rich, impeccably well-balanced Shiraz is best consumed during its first decade of life. This wine not only makes for compelling drinking, but it is also a huge amount of fun, and isn't that what it's all about? If I had to give an award to Australia's finest winemaker in 2001, it would be hard not to consider David Powell. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283