The 2002 Stonewell Shiraz was barrel fermented and aged in new French and American oak hogsheads. The fruit was sourced from several of the Barossa’s top addresses. It offers up aromas of toasty oak, spice box (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg), asphalt, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a structured, tightly wound wine in which black fruits and chocolate make an appearance. It will benefit from another 8-10 years in the cellar and should drink well through 2027. Importer: Hess Wines of California, Napa, CA; www.peterlehmannwines.com

Big, rich and generous with its green olive-accented cherry and exotic spice flavors. Finishes with firm tannins and persistence to the flavors. A classic Barossa Shiraz that has a long way to go. Best from 2010 through 2020. 250 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa Select to Add

More lifted and aromatic than some other vintages of the Stonewell Shiraz, the 2002 features red fruit flavors and a slightly herbal tinge. Tannins are creamy-smooth, yet the acids are a bit hard-edged at this stage. Give it another few years to round into form; drink from 2010–2015.——J.C.(11/1/2007)—— 90