2008 Shirvington Shiraz

Opaque purple. Powerful, deeply scented aromas of black and blue fruits, cola, incense and vanilla, plus hints of dried flowers and licorice. Ripe, fleshy and palate-coating, offering sweet boysenberry and blueberry flavors, a velvety texture and a late note of sassafras. Very rich shiraz with a strong finishing note of dark fruit liqueur and surprising vivacity. Highly concentrated but avoids heaviness; I'd hold off on opening this for another four or five years.

Shirvington’s 2008 Shiraz gives a deep garnet-purple color and intense notes of warm black cherries and black raspberries over anise, chocolate box, allspice and vanilla pod. Very full-bodied and concentrated with 16% declared alcohol, this is a big mouthful yet well balanced with crisp acidity and medium-firm fine tannins, finishing long. Approachable now, it should blossom with another couple of years in bottle and drink through 2020+. Dec 2010, www.robertparker.com