Clarendon Hills' red wines are about as decadent and rich as red wine can get. The luxury cuvee of Shiraz the 1996 Astralis (550 cases) is softer than its 1995 counterpart. Aged in 100% new oak the wood is soaked up by the wine's extraordinary flavor concentration and massive fruit extraction. The nose offers aromas of pure cassis intermixed with pepper and spice. This blockbuster wine exhibits remarkable richness compelling layers of flavor brilliant purity and overall equilibrium and a fabulously nuanced finish. The 1996 which is slightly more accessible than the more backward 1995 can be drunk although this flamboyant effort will evolve for another 15-20 years. Frankly along with Penfold's Grange this may be the greatest Shiraz being made in Australia.