Shiraz The Dead Arm, D'Arenberg 1999

The unfined/unfiltered 1999 The Dead Arm Shiraz 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 to 4 years of cellaring and consume it over the following 2 to 3 decades. It is a timeless museum piece that can only be produced in Barossa or McLaren Vale.