Tasting Note

                 Sydney Time

           Copyright © Ric Einstein 2008

d'Arenberg 1998 Dead Arm Shiraz Dec 07

An expressive, big bouquet with loads of vanillin and mushroom oak wonderfully offset to ripe, dark fruits. Fine, powdery, drying tannins combine with refreshing acid which lifts the finish and strong, deep, pure fruit to form a full-bodied, solid and firm wine. The palate shows black fruits with blueberry, plum, rich chocolate, hints of coffee and vanilla flavours which finish long and persistent. This clever winemaking at play here and the finish is huge, incredibly long and powerful. Rated as Excellent now, the rating should improve as the wine enters its peak drinking window around 2011.