3 Rings, Shiraz Reserve, Barossa Valley 2004

Deep purple/red.

Caramel/praline, fig/date, earth - a total oozer/reduction sauce of a nose now.

Round and sweet texturally, extraordinarily so. A bit of alcohol intrudes throughout, as does a level of acidity that doesn't jibe well with the opulence here. But there's no denying the pure blackberry fruit that rides through it all. Also no denying a complete lack of flavor complexity. Extremely concentrated, with a definite saline impression.

This is actually day 3, opened on 10/15, at which time the wine was brighter, but also more dis-jointed

Nearly three years in barrel. Huge score in the Wine Advocate (98?), apparently hated by Raynolds of The International Wine Cellar.

$60, 16.5% alcohol