Congratulations to ACI for finally releasing an innovative bottle shape. Peter Lehmann Wines has launched its two Barossa red stablemates from 1996 in the new narrow-waisted ‘radical claret’ bottle. The Shiraz 1996 (17.5, drink 1998-2001) is as supremely smooth as only the Barossa can achieve. It has a long, creamy palate of piercing small berry fruit flavours, vanilla/caramel oak and tannins so finely balanced you bounce off them. Equally well handled, the Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 (17.2, drink 2001-2004) is long and plush, with plummy cassis fruit and a fine grainy extract.
