1999 d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz

Tasted 2/12/2002: A monumental red! Very deep crimson colour, with black heart. Superb nose with aroma of vanilla, liquorice allsorts dark chocolate, violets and spice. The palate is mouthfilling with Grange like weight and structure. Flavours of liquorice, blackberry, vanilla, cedar and toasted oak, followed by an emergence of blackpepper on the backpalate. Fine grained, dry tannins, perfectly balanced, followed by a very long aftertaste of spice and blackpepper.
Alc/Vol: 14.5%

Other Reviews....
This estate's most renowned offering is their old vine Shiraz (90+ year old vines) called The Dead Arm. The unfined/unfiltered 1999 The Dead Arm Shiraz (2,000 cases) was aged in 100% new oak, of which 70% was American and 30% French. It is about as natural and unmanipulated a product of the vineyard as one can find. Full-bodied and awesomely rich, notes of black pepper, licorice, and blackberry as well as cherry liqueur cascade over the palate with enormous concentration and intensity, high tannin, and a structured, muscular style. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring, and consume it over the following 2-3 decades. It is a timeless museum piece made in a style that can only be produced in Barossa or McLaren Vale.
96 points
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate