Dark, deep and impressively focused, a massive wall of delicious fruit -- cherry, pomegranate, raspberry and red plum are among the first to appear -- tempered with refined tannins that let the flavors sail on and on through the extended finish. Best from 2007 through 2020. HS

Very strong, deep, purple-red; a full-bodied, luscious array of blackberry, plum and licorice; supple, ripe tannins. Just copes with the alcohol.

- James Halliday (winecompanion.com.au) tasted Dec 2005

From the Barossa, the inky/ruby/purple-hued 2004 Shiraz Bella’s Garden offers notions of mint, blackberries, smoke, dusty earth, and a distinctive licorice and creme de cassis character. This layered, full-bodied, powerful (all of these wines have 15-16% alcohol), stunningly complex, rich, impressive Shiraz requires 2-3 years of cellaring, and should keep for 10-15.