2003 Dry Grown Shiraz

The 2003 Chris Ringland Shiraz has according to Ringland, "changed dramatically in the last year, getting denser". Nevertheless, it is not as saturated in color as the two previous vintages and is more advanced in its development. It is still a brilliant wine with glorious aromatics including spice box, fruitcake, dried fruits, and blueberry preserves. Savory, ripe, and elegant on the palate despite its size, it should be cellared for another 5 years and will give pleasure through 2023. The 2004 Chris Ringland Shiraz is from another top vintage. Like the other wines, it spent 42 months in new French oak. Aromas of scorched earth, pencil lead, espresso, black currant and blueberry lead to a dense, complex, youthful wine with layer upon layer of succulent fruit, impeccable balance, and a decade of aging potential. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (805) 278-9095