1996 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz

Other Reviews....
I prefer the wines of 1996 to any other Barossan vintage of the 1990s. Rockford has played it truly. Big and dense and imposing, with oak and volatility splashing about in the glass. Move past that, and find liqueured blackberry, a touch of spice, raspberry and tobacco complexity. There’s no shortage of interest here, nor of fruit concentration. It hits your mouth like a perfect cover drive, it flows through the finish like Kim Hughes has just lofted one over the bowler’s head.
95 points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

A wine of majestic strength and power, richness and harmony, this full-bodied behemoth shows velvety tannin, 45+ seconds length, and knockout aromas of blackberry liqueur intermixed with licorice, smoke, and meaty notes. The wine is viscous yet nicely supported by acidity and ripe tannin. Still extremely youthful and unevolved, this wine will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring and keep for 20-25 years. This is undoubtedly a great vintage of Rockford.
94 points
Robert Parker - eRobertParker.com (Feb 2002)