d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz - 2002 - 1500mL - 1 Magnum Lot ID- 14724291

"Deep brick-red colour with a tawny rim. Raisins, crushed ants, a twist of peppermint. Very elegant, intense wine, but less fleshy than some vintages. Lovely wine, very fine, graceful and long. Great stuff. Drink: 2012–2022."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 95 points (Tasted Feb 2012)

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A blockbuster wine from a stellar vintage? That's certainly what everyone expected, but a number of wine critics were disappointed on release. After the voluptuous, ripe and opulent 2001, the 2002 follow-up was more elegant, tightly focused and backward than they expected. So obviously it's a wine to be put down in the cellar rather than drunk now; but how good/great will it be in the long term? Obviously nobody knows for certain, but the reviews below are certainly insightful, as is the review above from Huon Hooke which was made over 8 years after the wine was released.

"A more elegant, controlled and tightly focused Dead Arm with pleasing fruit and balance, but an unmistakable thread of herbaceousness beneath. Its spicy and lightly smoky fragrance of cassis, blackberries, violets and raspberries is offset by creamy vanilla oak. Silky smooth and velvet-like, its very measured palate of vibrant small black and red berries, licorice and spice culminates in a long, rather minty, eucalypt-like and herbal finish. Drink 2010-2014."  Jeremy Oliver - 94 points

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"Clean and quite fragrant; abundant blackberry and dark chocolate fruit; controlled extract and good balance. Drink Now-2015."  James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 94 points

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"The 2002 The Dead Arm Shiraz was a challenge to effectively analyze. After the magnificent 2001, it comes across as lighter-styled, more elegant, but also closed and restrained. Several hours of aeration were beneficial, but this cuvee seems to be playing it close to the vest. However, there is power underneath the tannic structure. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by a backward, full-throttle Shiraz lacking the exuberance, unctuosity, and stunning concentration of the 2001 and 1998. It has noble breeding, but appears to be totally shut down at present. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020."  Robert Parker, Wine Advocate - 92 points

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"To do the wine complete justice, I have tried it over a period of the best part of day and have made notes as I went. 

First impression upon opening was a bouquet dominated by loads of dusty oak, mushroom, blackberries and a fairly prominent herbaceous undertone. The first sip indicates this wine is a veritable baby and I was committing the worst possible case of Vin infanticide. All the components are there but they are not harmonious, to the contrary, the wine is disjointed and jarring. However, when examined closely they are all there in the right proportions and on the plus side, the finish is persistent.  

Ninety minutes later coffee essence and an unusual scent that I had trouble positively identifying were the major factors. The unidentified scent seemed like it was "green oak.” On the palate, it was not as jarring as the first sip; it was OK but still very much a baby. Fine-rained dusty tannins, and ripe fruit provide coffee, chocolate, plum and blackberry flavours but there was an herbaceous streak with mint and menthol running through the palate.  

After three hours, this wine is really starting to change. On the palate, the fruit is rich and intense with many of the previously mentioned flavours still in play but now there is a real spiciness to it too.  

After six hours, the bouquet is dominated by floral violet notes, menthol and spice; it's very attractive and totally unlike the monster that reared its ugly head six hours ago. Tannins are very fine and grip the tongue like a vice, the acid is baby fresh and the fruit is up to the task but now, all the disjointed impression that was evident when first opened has disappeared and the components are more harmonious and in balance. Finish is very long. Spice, coffee essence, multiple berry flavours, plum and chocolate surfing the tasting buds on a (now much tamer and less aggressive, almost Cabernet like) herbaceous under bed with mint and menthol.

After eight hours, now this wine is really singing. The herbaceous streak has receded even further and it is dominated by chocolate, coffee, spice and glorious rich plumy fruit that is full bodied and finishes with great intensity and persistence.

In summary, if those who canned the wine did so from a bottle that was freshly opened, I can understand why. By the same token, those that judged the wine alongside others in a big lineup will also have been justifiably disappointed, especially without significant decant time because it would not show very well at this stage against other wines, which no doubt, would be more attractive and easier to drink in their youth. However, I am very happy I bought this wine and in time, think it will be wonderful. Current rating is Excellent *** for value with room for improvement as the wine matures around the turn of the decade."  Ric Einstein, www.torbwine.com

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(Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148)

• Lot #14724291
• 98 Points RPJ
• Actual Bottles Pictured
• RRP $500 per magnum
• Zero Ullage, Perfect Labels
• Cork Closure
• MULTI Award winning
• Professionally Cellared
• 15% abv
• Sold /Priced as a 1 Magnum Pack

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