The 2003 Shiraz is a full-bodied, opulently-styled red that smells of creme de cassis and blackberry liqueur intermixed with smoky meats, espresso roast, jammy black fruits, licorice, earth, and toasty new oak. It should evolve nicely for a decade or more. Full-throttle Shiraz are fashioned by winemaker Kim Johnston from vineyards owned by the Longbottom family. This is an unabashed, flamboyant, Aussie wine that is loaded with fruit, fragrance, glycerin, and intensity. This is the type of wine that Eurocentric wine tasters and condescending elitists tend to dismiss, but it is a fascinating effort the likes of which are made nowhere else in the world. There is certainly no shortage of flavor, and if you like your wines exuberant, flamboyant, and over-sized, this wine fills the tab, and then some. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283

Ripe, rich style has lots of licorice character to accent the dark cherry and berry flavors, finishing with velvety tannins and a sweet spicy note. Drink now through 2011. 3,000 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Padthaway Select to Add