d’Arenberg 1997 Dead Arm Shiraz Jan 04

Blackberry, a touch of prune, chocolate, dill and a fair swag of mint dominate the aroma; even from the first sniff you can tell this is going to be a powerful wine. The wine is still tightly wound but what the bouquet promises, the palate delivers (with some liquorice thrown in) and in spades! The wine is muscular in weight but intense, mouth filling and powerful without over extraction; the length of finish is as good as it gets. Tannins are very fined grained but they are there as is the youthful acid which bodes well for this wine which is just a pup and whilst it’s enjoyable now will continue to improve.  Rated as Excellent, the rating may/should improve as it matures over the next few years.