2002 Rolf Binder, Hanisch Shiraz, Barossa Valley

The blockbuster 2002 Shiraz Hanisch spent 22 months in French and American oak. A limited cuvee of 337 cases from one of the Barossa’s most renowned vineyard sites, it possesses a dense purple color, extraordinary richness, an incredible perfume of creosote, blueberries, blackberries, and cassis, and velvety tannin that suggests great ripeness as well as wonderful integration of all its structural components. With full body, stunning depth, a multilayered mouthfeel, tremendous purity, and a 60+ second finish, this unevolved yet accessible Shiraz should hit its prime in 2-3 years, and last for 12-15 or longer. This is a brilliant Barossa Valley Shiraz! Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel (610) 486-0800

Saturated ruby. Raspberry fruit aroma dominated by lumberyard. Superrich and superconcentrated: a spicy essence of creamy, candied raspberry and blackberry. Very oaky wine but nicely shaped and lifted by a bright peppery quality. Finishes very long and ripely tannic. Will merit an outstanding rating if it can absorb some of its oak.