The Lloyd Reserve Shiraz is produced from a small four acre single vineyard planted in 1919. The yields from these old vines are typically around half tonne per acre. The use of chemicals and fertilizers is minimised and the vineyard is pruned and harvested by hand. The first vintage of Coriole Lloyd Shiraz was produced in 1989, and has been made every year since with the exception of 2003.

The 2002 vintage in McLaren Vale was exceptional despite lower yields than average due to the coolest summer on record. Since the 1999 vintage there’s been a gradual shift away from the use of 100% American oak, the 2002 vintage was produced with a combination of 85% French oak and 15% American oak. In fact the American oak component was actually purchased from French coopers, the winery believing the French are much better coopers than the Americans! Matured for a period of 18 months in oak hogsheads, the wine is then given a further 12 months bottle age before being released.

Totally opaque black dark red colour with a deep dark red hue. The nose displays aromas of liquorice intermixed with earth and leather followed by vanillin cedar and spice. Medium to full bodied with good richness and a relatively supple mouthfeel the palate has a strong liquorice/aniseed component which dominates over a background of black cherry, toasty oak, leather and spice. Dryish finish with the fruit beginning to dry out and the tannins take over. Aftertaste of aniseed, toasty oak, leather and spice. 
Drink now.
Alc 14.5%

Opaque black crimson colour with deep dark red mauve hue. Refined aromas of blackberry, liquorice and black pepper followed by some lightly charred cedar and spice. Superb palate concentration is counterpointed by a refined structure. Mouth filling flavours of liquorice, blackberry and confectionary followed by some distinct blackpepper characters that persist through to the back palate. Spicy toasted cedar overlay. Very fine grained tannins. Excellent length with long aftertaste of liquorice, black pepper and spice.

Originally Tasted 2005:
A superb red. Totally opaque black crimson colour with deep crimson hue. Lifted nose, with violet top notes, followed by vanilla and blackberry creating a perfumed lift. The palate is equally impressive – flavours of chocolate, spice, vanilla, blackberry and violet infusions. Perfect balance – a very stylish structure. Very long aftertaste of vanilla, dark chocolate, spice and blood plum.

Beautifully structured wine, an exercise in restraint; smooth, supple blackberry, chocolate and tannin mix; clean finish. 
Rating 95 - "James Halliday - 2006 Australian Wine Companion"