1999 The Steading

The 1999 Steading, a southern Rhone blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, and 20% Mourvedre. Two thousand cases were produced of this Chateauneuf du Pape look-alike from Australia's Barossa Valley. It is a terrific, deep purple-colored effort offering a sweet nose of pepper, black fruits, earth, tobacco, and cassis. Sweet on the attack (from ripe fruit, not sugar), this full-bodied, concentrated, powerful wine (14.5% alcohol) builds in the mouth to a creamy textured, blockbuster finish. While hard to resist, it will drink well for 7-8 years. 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