d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz (half-bottle) 2002

The 2002 season was characterized by a cold wet winter and spring, which produced lower yields with good, thick-skinned berries. The cool and completely dry summer ripened fruit gradually and a warm and also completely dry autumn allowed the grapes to ripen fully, producing grapes with some of the best and most exotic characters seen for many years.

Upon release, d'Arenberg's The Dead Arm Shiraz has a vivid, young, dense purple-red color. The nose shows Intense and complex cedary, fig, blackberry, blueberry, and pepper aromas.

Attacking spicy dark cherry, plum and blackberry fruit dominate the taste with a complex, slightly acetone, liquorice, prune richness and silkiness leading to a slight cedar, mineral and svelte array of tannins. The length comes right back to gritty, vibrant fruit tannins giving the wine great ageability.

After time in bottle, the d'Arenberg Dead Arm gains a biscuity, cinnamon, caramel and eucalyptus based bouquet on top of rich blackberry pie smells. Tobacco, mushroom, malt and earth aromas play a part on the long, fleshy, chocolate mint and spice flavors.

Restrained tannin and acidity coupled with rich alcohol produce a seamless, peppery, velvety, rolling length.