2003 Piping Shrike Barossa Valley SHIRAZ (Australia)

This was a superb, moderately-priced Shiraz. Saturated black ruby color. Rich nose of toasty dark chocolate, crushed blackberries, and new baseball glove leather. Rich, deep-toned flavors of black raspberries, graphite, and scorched earth. Powerful, full-bodied, yet soft mouthfeel. This puppy might even soften and improve over the next year. Very, very good. 89. Was $13.99 at Rice Epicurean on Holcombe.