95 points Robert Parker: "One of this estate’s flagship wines, the 2003 The Dead Arm Shiraz appears to be better than the 2002. A deeper, richer, fuller-bodied offering that spent time in equal parts French and American oak, it possesses an opaque purple color, great intensity, and a fabulously sweet nose of blackberries, cassis, asphalt, earth, and oak. Powerful, super-concentrated, and obviously fashioned from low yields and old vines, this is a classic McLaren Vale old vine Shiraz that should age nicely for 15+ years." (10/05) Peppery, ripe and coated with vanilla oak, you may be tempted to serve this viscious and rich Shiraz with dessert. We think it deserves star treatment at the table, which means drink it all on its own, for its malty, chocolate mint characteristics, and spicy berry essence. Very silky out of the gate, this one will also improve over the next ten to fifteen years.