"Prompted by a response from the maker, I took another look at this wine and arrived at the conclusion that the first bottle I opened and reviewed was affected to a minor extent by random oxidation - a major risk when buying (and reviewing) wine. This bottle indicates the new Armagh is a very ripe, but bright and balanced expression of shiraz made in the higher alcoholic end of the spectrum. There's vibrant dark plum, raspberry and cassis fruit throughout nose and palate, with meaty, chocolate oak and a velvet-smooth yet powerful grip. It's lightly tarry and gamey, and unquestionably highly spirited, but has the fruit concentration required to thrive and prosper. (18.7, Drink 2011-2019.)"  95 pts, Jeremy Oliver's On Wine, 04.01.02

"Rich, dense and seductive for its layers and layers of fruit, packing in the ripe cherry, plum, berry and spice flavors, all tightly wound and waiting for more to come with cellaring. Drink now through 2012. 200 cases imported. (HS)"  93 pts, The Wine Spectator, Sept. 30, 2002.

"The well-endowed, opaque purple-colored 1999 Shiraz The Armagh exhibits an intense bouquet of melted licorice, cassis, vanilla, blackberry ice cream, and smoky oak. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, opulent, rich, and tasty, with sweet tannin, adequate acidity, and a long, layered finish. It will drink well for 10-15 years.
 
The high octane Shiraz cuvee called The Armagh is one of the finest examples from Clare Valley, as well as South Australia. Rich and dense, it routinely hits 14.5-15% alcohol."  92 pts, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Oct. 2002.