The 2003 Shiraz Old Bastard is a candidate for Shiraz of the vintage from South Australia. Exhibiting an inky/purple color along with serious velocity and intensity, it is a superb expression of top-notch Barossa Valley Shiraz. A glorious perfume of charcoal, blackberry liqueur, smoke, and vanilla is followed by an enormous, but neither heavy nor over-ripe wine that is a testament to the winemaking skills of Reid Bosward. This big, pure, rich Shiraz can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 years. Importer: Benjamin Hammerschlag, Epicurean Wines, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 923-1376