Wolf Blass, Black Label, South Australia, Australia, 1984

A textbook vintage (good winter rains, a warm, dry growing season), if not a textbook blend. Leaning more towards Bordeaux, this vintage features 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and just 10% Shiraz. Aged in new oak hogsheads it shows dried roses, leather, smooth chocolatey tannins and rich, ripe, perfumed cassis. Dense, perhaps a little one note, but balanced with lingering gravelly acidity. This has reached a plateau.