The 1998 Shiraz Platinum Label is even better than the 1999. A tribute to winemaker Chris Hatcher, who started working at this estate in the mid-nineties, it boasts a dense inky/blue/purple color as well as glorious aromas of blackberry liqueur intermixed with licorice, pepper, leather, minerals, and a touch of oak. This 500-case cuvee is full-bodied, succulent, fleshy, and full in the mouth with no hard edges. Considerable structure underlies all the fruit, glycerin, and extract, so this 1998 should evolve for 15 more years. Given modern day wine prices, it is a steal.Beringer-Blass Wine Estates, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 963-7115

A plump Shiraz with tremendous depth and power. It's dark, rich and plush, bursting with spicy black cherry and blackberry flavors that linger effortlessly as the round, focused finish hints at white pepper and exotic spices. A big step up for this producer. Drink now through 2012. 500 cases made.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa Select to Add