The opaque purple-colored 1998 Shiraz Copper Trail exhibits a style similar to the 1999, with copious quantities of blackberry fruit intermixed with earth, leather, truffle, and licorice characteristics. It is full-bodied, spicy, rich, and deep, with current accessibility as well as the potential to last for 10-12 years. This cuvee is aged in both French and American oak, although the trend is toward less American and more French. It is a very well-made wine. Part of the enormous Beringer-Blass empire, this was my first experience with Annie's Lane. Importer: Beringer-Blass Wine Estates, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 963-7115