The fabulous inky/purple-hued 2003 Shiraz Coach House only carries 14.5% alcohol (in the land of 15% full-throttle Shiraz). It offers a huge nose of blackberry and cassis liqueur plums figs barbecue smoke and lead pencil shavings. A wine of great intensity enormous concentration moderately high tannin and a blockbuster finish it needs 2-3 more years of bottle age and it should last for 10-20+ years. This is an impressive successor to Branson Coach House’s equally exciting 2002.

Ripe velvety and generous with its black cherry black pepper dried tomato and licorice flavors a counterpoint of spicy smoky oak adding an extra layer without taking over. Has depth and persistence excellent balance (despite some heat from alcohol) and real class. Best from 2007 through 2015. 650 cases made. –HS