Made with grapes sourced from the Knob Hill vineyard one hour from Margaret River, the 2011 The Ripper Shiraz was harvested, crushed/de-stemmed then heavily chilled at a nearby winery in Margaret River, then transported immediately to the Hope Estate winery in the Hunter Valley for full fermentation, maturation and ultimately bottling. This deep garnet-purple colored 100% Shiraz is intensely scented of creme de cassis, blueberry preserves and black cherry compote with an undercurrent of baking spices, vanilla, aniseed and dark chocolate plus a whiff of eucalyptus. Full-bodied, rich and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, it gives tons of black fruit and spice flavors that are framed by a medium level of velvety tannins and bright acidity. It finishes with good persistence. Drink it now to 2017. Imported by Winesellers Ltd.; www.winesellersltd.com