The 2012 Shiraz The Armagh was bottled 60% under Stelvin and 40% under cork. This is bottle I'm tasting from is Stelvin. There is quince and raisin on the nose and in the mouth here. It's really delicious, with soft eating-licorice on the mid-palate. Note of ferrous and blood plume through the wine. There is peat and lichen too, along with freshly turned earth; I love the middle palate through to the finish, which is particularly good. It has a tight finish and is the lowest in alcohol (13.7%) of the lineup, from the cool year that was 2012. It matured for 20 months in 60% new French and 40% new American hogsheads (300 liter). It's hard to imagine that this will do anything other than age exceptionally gracefully.

Robust and dense, this shows plenty of torque to the generous, velvety flavors of huckleberry pie, blueberry syrup, sarsaparilla, cacao and nutmeg, all set on a plush, thick body. The intensity kicks in on the finish, where spice and smoke details linger effortlessly. Drink now through 2040. 50 cases imported.??–MW??Region: Australia / Clare Valley Select to Add