The 2000 Shiraz Apricot Block, 360 cases produced from microscopic yields of .9 tons of fruit per acre (8-year old vines), tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol, and was aged in both new and old large American barrels (called hogsheads) prior to being bottled unfiltered. A candidate for “wine of the vintage” in the Barossa, it possesses an opaque ruby/purple color as well as tremendous fruit intensity, enormous body, great purity, and a skyscraper-like mid-palate and texture. This dense, chewy Barossa classic has a finish that lasts over 60 seconds. Although still somewhat primary, it reveals tremendous potential, even from this challenging vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283