2002 McCrea Cellars Syrah Amerique

(this is Doug McCrea's syrah in the style of an Australian shiraz, aged in American barrels) Bright ruby. Musky aromas of dark berries, tobacco and exotic oak spices. Fat, sweet and highly concentrated, with its impressive lushness of texture leavened by an edge of pomegranate. Opens out nicely on the back half, finishing very clean and long, with broad, building tannins and late notes of mace, pepper and mint. Few Australian shirazes can match this wine for energy and verve.