There are only 70 cases of the 2003 Shiraz “The Ox”. As noted above, the wine comes from a 116-year-old vineyard with microscopic yields of 0.25 – 0.50 tons per acre. It spent 24 months in old French oak and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Saturated purple/black, this Shiraz has a hugely expressive bouquet of cedar, pepper, blueberry, blackberry liqueur, and chocolate. Full-bodied and thick on the palate, it exhibits a plush texture, a complex flavor profile, amazing depth and concentration, ripe tannins, and a finish that will not quit. It is a testament to what old vines and talented winemaking can achieve. Congratulations to Southern Starz for discovering this gem.Andrew Hardy is winemaker for Petaluma and his family holdings include an amazing Upper Tintara vineyard planted to Shiraz in 1891 and which has been producing ever since.Importer: Ken Onish and John Gorman, Southern Starz; (714) 892-3030