2003 Draycott Shiraz

The most backward and potentially longest lived of this trio is the 2003 Shiraz Draycott, a blend of 86% Shiraz, 10% Grenache, and 4% Mourvedre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a classic bouquet of licorice, blackberries, plums, and vanillin. Full-bodied, dense, concentrated flavors judiciously marry the finesse school of winemaking with the exuberant, powerful, Barossa style. Boasting beautiful depth, precision, and equilibrium, it will benefit from another 1-2 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 10-15 years. Readers should not confuse Burge Family Winemakers (one of Australia’s finest wineries) with the much larger firm of Grant Burge. Burge Family Winemakers’ old vine estate-bottled offerings, made by the modest, but enormously talented Rick Burge, are classic Barossa wines with extraordinary elegance as well as complex aromatics that combine European subtlety with Australian power. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283