Water Wheel Shiraz 2005

"The opaque purple 2005 Shiraz was aged for 9-12 months in a mix of new and used American hogsheads. It offers a multi-dimensional perfume of cedar, tobacco, plum, anise, blueberry, and blackberry. Full-bodied, stacked and packed, this mouth-filling Shiraz has enough structure to evolve for several years but delaying gratification will prove difficult. A barrel sample of the 2006 (which should be in the bottle prior to publication) appears to be equally good. Congratulations to Water Wheel for over-delivering on a superb quartet of wine values." - Wine Advocate