The 2005 Shiraz comes from 20 individuals plantings off the Metala vineyards. It spends 15 months in 50% new French and American barriques, while the rest is 1 and 2 year oak. Very deep garnet-black in color, it has intense warm blackberry, spiced plums, creme de cassis and licorice aromas with supporting notes of chocolate, Mediterranean herbs, smoked duck, underbrush and tobacco. This rich, concentrated, full-bodied Shiraz is not shy on the structure with medium-firm, very fine tannins and very crisp acid to support the generous flesh. It finishes long and savory. Approachable now, it should continue to evolve and cellar to 2020+. The original Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz vines on Guy Adams- estate in Langhorne Creek, including the legendary Metala vineyards, were planted in 1891 by his great, great grandfather. Some of these vines still exist and therefore must be about the oldest Cabernet vines in Australia if not the world! With a long history as contract grape growers going back five generations, it's perhaps a little surprising that wasn't until the 1980's that the Adams family started making wines from their own grapes. In 1998 they decided to develop their own label. The ensuing Brothers in Arms wines are all 100% grown and made on this impressive 1000 hectare property. 300 hectares are devoted to vineyards and today about 25% of the fruit off the land goes into their own label. They don't produce any whites. All their wines are aged in bottle for a period before release, -to make them ready to drink and food friendly-.Importer: Vintage Point, Sonoma, CA; www.vintagepoint.com

The aromas of this wine are undoubtedly complex: meaty, stewy, cedary and jammy—there’s a lot going on, just not all going in the same direction. Yet it seems to come together on the palate, where it offers a creamy, mouthfilling texture, turning chewier on the finish. Hints of chocolate, coffee, molasses, mixed berries and peppery spice make for a rich, intense blend of flavors. Drink now–2020. ——J.C.(8/1/2009)—— 91