Deep ruby. Knockout nose combines black fruits, spices, espresso, meat and gunflint; very syrah. Tightly wound and unevolved, with black fruit, licorice and pepper flavors currently dominated by the wine oak element. Dense with extract but quite closed; doesn't yet show the sweetness of the Piggott Range bottling (or the '98 Astralis, for that matter). Strong tannins coat the teeth. Based on the track record of this wine, it's hard to imagine that it won't ultimately be the strongest of Clarendon's '99 shiraz bottlings.

The full-bodied, rich 1999 Astralis Syrah exhibits a gamy, floral, creme de cassis, and camphor-scented bouquet. It tastes like a slightly more layered, concentrated version of the 1997, but it does not possess the power, richness, concentration, and potential complexity of either the 1996 or 1998. The 1999 is 4-5 years away from full maturity, but it appears capable of lasting at least two more decades.

Blackish crimson. Ripe, fruity and evolved on the nose – perhaps not as noble or fine as some of the others but very much more drinkable! Yet the saltiness overwhelms everything else – this is medication rather than wine! Finishes very suddenly. (JR)