1996 Clarendon Hills Old Vine

Grenache Blewitt Springs Vineyard

Rating: 92 points

Drink: 2001-2018

Two of the most decadent wines made on planet Earth are the limited production (about 900 cases of each) of Old Vine Grenache. The opaque blue/black-colored 1996 Old Vine Grenache Blewitt Springs offers a blackberry, cassis, and peppery-scented nose. Explosively sweet black fruit hits the palate with considerable weight and unctuosity. There may be some residual sugar, although I tend to think the high alcohol (15.5%) and the extremely elevated glycerin level give this wine its slightly sweet palate impression. Huge, and almost too rich and thick to drink with food, I would opt for serving this wine at the end of the meal with well-flavored cheese, or to simply be sipped by itself.

1998 Penfolds Shiraz St Henri

Rating: 88 points

Drink: 2002-2006

The 1998 Shiraz St. Henri is a delicious dark ruby-colored effort with a sweet nose of jammy black fruits intermixed with herbs, earth, and pepper.

1999 Shiraz RWT

Rating: 87 points

Drink: 2002-2012

The elegantly-styled, restrained 1999 Shiraz RWT is an elegant example of a Barossa Shiraz. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by a medium-bodied wine offering up floral, raspberry, cherry, and currant aromas nicely dosed with subtle wood. Enjoy this pure, refreshing 1999 overthe next decade. —Robert Parker (Oct 2002)

Value: $300

Donors: Justine & Shawn Bookin (wine)

               Matt & Mariann Fragner (carrier)