The perfect 1996 Shiraz Roennfeldt Road (15.2% alcohol) was aged three years in new American hogsheads (small foudres). This amazing achievement boasts an inky/black/purple color as well as a striking perfume of smoke charcoal blackberry liqueur and a hint of toast. In the mouth it is fabulously concentrated and tremendously pure with layer upon layer of flavors that unfold incrementally. Mouth-staining but not over the top it would be hard to find a more concentrated wine anywhere in the world. Although the tannin is high it is obscured by the wealth of fruit and glycerin. A tour de force in winemaking it is probably worth the high cost of admission. Anticipated maturity: now-2018.