Opaque, ruby color. Expansive, mineral- and smoke-tinged dark berry liqueur, licorice pastille and pipe tobacco aromas are complemented by suggestions of pungent flowers, vanilla and allspice. Concentrated yet lively on the palate, offering intense black and blue fruit preserve, mocha and spicecake flavors and a minerally quality that builds on the back half. Shows outstanding definition and spicy lift on the finish, which is given shape by velvety, harmonious tannins.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2014 RWT Shiraz from the Barossa Valley offers cedar and cassis notes over a core of blackberry preserves, mocha and spice cake. Big, full, opulent and with notable notes of toasty oak, it has a solid structure and very long finish. Matured for 17 months in French hogsheads, 70% new, this baby needs a lot of time to integrate and shed some of its puppy fat.