2002 Barossa Valley Shiraz

Full medium ruby. Superripe aromas of currant, blackberry, smoke and truffle. Very sweet, ripe and gamey, just this side of cloying. Notes of nutmeg, smoke and tobacco leaf. At once creamy-sweet and lightly vegetal. Finishes with sweet, smooth tannins.

The gorgeous 2002 Shiraz was aged in 85% French and 15% American oak. Loads of blackberry fruit are found in this opulent, full-bodied, pure, heady (14.7% alcohol) Shiraz. This offering will not be particularly long-lived, but it possesses a pure flavor, good texture, and offers a considerable value. Oct 2004, www.robertparker.com