2003 Loan Shiraz

The 2003 Shiraz spent 25 months in new American oak hogsheads. It offers up an alluring bouquet of cedar, saddle leather, violets, smoked meat, and blueberry compote. Full-bodied, opulent, and intensely flavored, this super rich Shiraz has a long, pure finish. There is enough structure to support 6-8 years in the cellar and it should drink well through 2025. Loan was the second farm planted in the history of the Barossa. Today the Loan property is the only certified organic vineyard in the Barossa. The current owners are Richard and Jessie Loan; the winemaker, the renowned Chris Ringland. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (805) 278-9095; Also tasted: 2006 Raven’s Rose (88)