The 2009 Spice Route Shiraz, aged in French oak for 18 months, is a full bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of prune, strawberry, smoke, coconut and vanilla. It has a nice structure with refined tannins (decant for 15-30 min) and a long to extra long, chalky finish. Though ready to drink now, it should age gracefully for the next 10 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - I recommend giving this one a try just to gage how many to stock up on (scheduled to come out sometime in March/12). Tasted at "An Intimate Wine Tasting with Charles Back" Jan/12.

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Great aromatics on this Shiraz with aromas of black plum, wild strawberry, prune, black pepper, clove, smoky and vanilla notes. On the palate, full bodied with alcohol at 15%, rich and concentrated flavours. well structured by lively acidity and elegant tannin structure. Very good length on the finish, rich and creamy texture and flavours of spice plums and cedar flavours lingering. Maturation took place in (approx) 30% new French oak for 18 months, the wine was bottled unfiltered. This wine has lots of everything but no excess and not likely to disappoint. Strongly recommended, enjoyed May 2012.