CARLEI ESTATE SHIRAZ 40's OLD BLOCK

a rare vineyard of old vines that pre-dates the contemporary revival of the region, long, vibrant and tautly structured blackberry, plum and fruitcake with pronounced slaty minerality and savoury edges, medium-full bodied long powdery tannins, spicy cedar-vanilla from the French oak, an absolute treat that matches the best from Barossa while highlighting the region’s own distinctive style of minerality

Dark brown, with a typical olive rim; highly aromatic and intense, waves of raisiny fruit coming off on the bouquet with little or no swirling of the glass. A wonderfully rich and complex palate, with great raisiny typicity, lively acidity helping prolong and dry the finish. Rating: 96 out of 100 James Halliday Feb 28 2003