The red wines are all exuberantly fruity, cleanly made rich wines. Among the more limited edition offerings are several wines that represent some of d'Arenberg's finest parcels, all of which are basket-pressed. The Dead-Arm Shiraz is an old vine Shiraz cuvee that is fermented in oak barrels and raised in mostly new American oak. It is a sexy, flashy, flamboyant Shiraz that is short on restraint, but big on screaming fruit. The 1995 Dead-Arm Shiraz exhibits an opaque purple color, as well as a fabulous nose of ripe, late harvest-like, plummy, blackberry fruit, and cassis. Viscous, thick, and rich, with layers of flavor, low acidity, and sexy new oak, this lusty-styled Shiraz should drink well for at least a decade. Importer: Old Bridge Cellars (Rob McDonald), San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 863-9463

Firm, chewy, packed with blackberry and anise flavors, although the oak character and tannin clamp down a bit on the finish. Echoes tobacco and berry. Best after 1999. 200 cases made.??–null??Region: Australia / McLaren Vale Select to Add