The 1996 Shiraz Stonewell is a big, broodingly backward wine offering aromas and flavors of melted asphalt, black raspberries, smoke, graphite, pepper, and blackberries. Full-bodied and moderately tannic, with good underlying acidity as well as structure, it is still an infant, but should mature over the next two decades, and will be uncommonly long-lived. Importer: Franklin Selections, Appellation Imports, Annapolis Junction, MD; tel (301) 604-3041

Crisp in texture and impressive for its intensity, depth and the way it lasts and lasts on the long, expressive finish. Has scads of ripe black plum and Damson plum aromas and flavors, shaded with sparks of licorice, pepper, black olive and star anise. It feels like this can go on forever.--Australian reds blind retrospective. 2,500 cases made, 300 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa Select to Add

A standout Stonewell, the 1996 still appears to have a decade or more of life still ahead of it. Smoke and mint notes mark the slightly closed nose, then layers of wonderfully creamy black cherry fruit flow across the palate. Yet despite the lush mouthfeel, the wine still comes across as structured on the long finish. Drink now–2020.——J.C.(11/1/2007)—— 93