2004 Rusden Shiraz Black Guts

Rusden’s flagship is the 2004 Shiraz “Black Guts,” sourced from a vineyard planted in 1959. It was aged for 30 months in barrel, 10% new American, 25% new French, with the balance used French. Purple-colored (but not as saturated as many of its Barossa peers), it delivers a stunning perfume of mineral, gunpowder, roasted meat, blueberry, and chocolate. This is followed by a full-bodied, velvety-textured Shiraz with gobs of layered fruit, terrific intensity and balance, and a very long finish. It will develop for 6-8 years and drink well through 2025. Rusden is owned by Dennis and Christian Canute with the talented Christian serving as winemaker. The vines were planted in the early 1970s in the tenderloin of the Barossa. Christian Canute has a unique ability to produce wines of great finesse combined with the intensity and power obtained from Barossa Valley fruit. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; www.rusdenwines.com.au; Also tasted: 2006 Chenin Blanc “Christian” (83)