The opaque purple-colored 1999 Shiraz Moritz Vineyard reveals plenty of earth, smoke, and spice in addition to both red and black fruits. The wine is full-bodied, deep, fruit-driven, and sweeter, with elevated glycerin. The sweetness (from extract and ripeness, not sugar) is impressive and the wine difficult to resist, even at such a youthful age. Drink it over the next decade. Imported by The Australian Premium Wine Collection, John Larchet, USA Wine West, LLC, San Rafael, CA; phone: (800)-485-5753 and Chicago Brands, Chicago, IL; tel. (312) 466-9300.(No tasting note was provided in the 2002 eRobertParker.com. We have instead included the text of the tasting note from Issue 135)

The palate shows cocoa, red berries, black cherries and eucalyptus flavors; the finish is medium-length, with green pepper and earth flavors. Is all this, plus a bouquet of deep black fruit, dark soil and brined meat, a recipe for success? Almost. Though reviewers praised this Shiraz for being well made with a smooth mouthfeel, we couldn't get past the idea that there is something a little unfulfilling about it, or something that the winemakers might have done differently.——W.E.(11/1/2001)—— 87