The opaque purple-colored 1997 Shiraz Aberfeldy emerges from an old head-pruned vineyard planted in 1904. The wine spends twelve months in new American oak and another year in one-year old American casks. It is an immense full-bodied opaque purple-colored Shiraz with gorgeous aromas of licorice cassis black cherries and tar. Massive with high levels of glycerin that ooze across the palate this dense flavorful wine can be drunk now because of its low acidity and sweet tannin but should become more civilized as well as complex with another 15-18 months of cellaring. Impressive! A Ted Schrauth Selection Old Vines Australia imported by Epic Wines Santa Cruz CA; tel. (408) 689-9080 and C. Daniele New York NY; tel. (212) 534-3421

Crisp in texture generous in flavor with a minty note harmonizing with the plum and berry flavors. Lively finish and fine tannins make this an elegant wine and suggest it will age well. Drink now through 2010. 75 cases imported. –HS