d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2005 750mL

A very dark almost black appearance with a dense purple-red hue. The aroma upon opening is very intense with a complex combination of fragrant spices, red fruits, plum dark cherries, cranberry and blueberry notes with a back drop of very fine oaks, liquorice, white pepper, boot-polish and edges of parsley stalks. The taste is rich, gutsy and virile, dominated with red fruits, cherries, plums and dried black olive. The palate is very controlled, tight and has a wonderful liveliness about it. Even the tannins feel cool and silky with mineral grittiness and wonderful acidity. The length is excellent and beautifully pointed with soft red fruit flavours and spice.

Wine Spectator  Has some ripe fruit, but the gamy, slightly bitter flavors get to be a bit too much ..... read more

Wine Advocate  D'Arenberg's most famous wine is its flagship, The Dead Arm Shiraz. The 2005 The Dead Arm Shiraz is sourced from ancient head-pruned vines. It was aged for 22 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak. It is opaque purple/black with an expansive perfume of toast, smoke, spice box, mineral, pencil lead, tar, licorice, blueberry, and blackberry. Full-bodied, opulent, and super-concentrated, this structured, lengthy wine will benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring. ..... read more