Peter Lehmann Eight Songs Shiraz 2002

8 Songs for a Mad King - This wine (named after a production of "The Eight Songs for a Mad King - the story of King George III") is a tribute to the old vine shiraz of the Barossa Valley which is the repository of some of the worlds oldest shiraz vines.

The colour of this wine is very deep red purple with a black centre and reflects the density of the wine. Its bouquet is overwhelmingly rich with soft, dark berry fruit and well integrated French oak. On the palate it has wonderful rich shiraz flavours of dark berries and Barossa chocolate enveloped in fine grained oak with subtle tannins. Excellent with braised lamb shanks, rare beef, and richly flavoured casseroles and, of course, excellent with aged cheddar cheeses.

2002 was the coolest Barossa vintage on record. The reds are densely coloured with exceptional fruit concentration and structure. Very approachable now, and will continue to develop in the bottle over the next 8-10 years.