The 1998 Shiraz Amery Vineyard tips the scales at 14.8% alcohol and is made from 15-year old vines cropped at a meager 1.5-2.5 tons of fruit per acre. This is a substantial, full-throttle, somewhat old style Shiraz with smoky, earthy, leathery, charcoal, and blackberry notes in the nose and flavors. It waddles across the palate with considerable extract, weight, and heaviness. It is deep, chewy, muscular, with the fruit and glycerin largely concealing some tannin. The wood seems to be kept within reason (it was aged 18 months in American oak barrels, but it is hard to believe there is much new oak based on its aromas and flavors.) This wine should evolve for at least another 12-15 years. --Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, June 2001.