The Chris Ringland (formerly known as Three Rivers Shiraz) which is aged 42 months in 100% new French oak and is rarely racked until bottling represents an extraordinary expression of Barossa Shiraz. The perfect 1998 made from a single 88-year-old vineyard cropped at one ton of fruit per acre soaked up its wood component as if it is not even present. It boasts a sumptuous texture great delineation and a huge fragrance of bacon fat blackberry liqueur creme de cassis toast espresso roast and hints of chocolate as well as pepper. Full-bodied yet remarkably well-delineated and fresh this stunning wine is still a baby but it promises to evolve for two decades or more. Importer: Dan Philips The Grateful Palate Oxnard CA; tel. (888) 472-5283