The 2002 Syrah Astralis Vineyard rivals the greatest wines Roman Bratasiuk has made in his 15-year career. This compelling black/blue-hued offering from 75-year-old Syrah vines tastes like blood of the vine. An extraordinary perfume of flowers creme de cassis blackberries roasted meat new saddle leather and earth is followed by a wine with sweet tannin sensational concentration full body an unctuous texture and a full-throttle tannic finish. Yet it reveals unbelievable elegance and finesse. Too many Euro-centric elitists argue that Australian wines are too rich and over the top but all of these offerings have been made by someone with great talent and vision who takes the extraordinary ripeness and purity of fruit available from these old vine vineyards and crafts them into wines that are quite European in style ... just richer and denser. The 2002 Astralis is a tour de force. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025+.Roman Bratasiuk is one of Planet Earth's greatest winemakers and obviously a top-notch viticulturist given his obsession with sourcing extraordinary fruit from ancient McLaren Vale vineyards.Please note there has been a change in American importers for Clarendon Hills. Importer: Commonwealth Wine & Spirits Inc. Mansfield MA; tel. (508) 328-6764

To this day, the latest harvest for Clarendon Hills, in May. The nose has a very spicy edge with dry-roasted spices and some dried meat, as well as cocoa, licorice, graphite and black tea. Sleek and elegant palate with red plums and dark berries, as well as silky, fine and long tannins. Has aged well. Drink now.