Sign In

2002 d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz, 5-bottle Lot

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

February 27, 2005 - $215

Estimate

Front Item Photo

2002 d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz

750ml

RATINGS

94James Halliday

Clean and quite fragrant; abundant blackberry and dark chocolate fruit; controlled extract and good balance.

93Robert M. Parker Jr.

...plays it close to the vest, exhibiting loads of cassis, asphalt, smoke, and barbecue spice-like aromas along with full-bodied flavors.

92Wine Spectator

... Rich, complex... plush, heady mouthful of black cherry, blackberry, menthol...

91+ Stephen Tanzer

Varietally expressive aromas of currant, espresso, smoke, gunflint and sexy oak, with a distinctly feral note. Highly concentrated, dense and smoky, with a strong syrah note of gunflint.

PRODUCER

d'Arenberg

Located in the McLaren Vale in South Australia, d’Arenberg has existed in one form or another since 1912, when Joseph Osborn purchased nearly 75 acres of vineyards. Four generations later the winery is still owned by the Osborn family, now headed by Chester d’Arenberg Osborn. The d’Arenberg wines were winning awards as early as the late 1960s, and today they are among Australia’s most admired and award-winning wines. Although the estate makes a variety of red and white wines, its signature wines are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre blends. The Dead Arm, a 100% Shiraz, is one of d’Arenberg’s most admired wines. Its unusual name comes from a fungus disease that affects vineyards and results in a “dead arm” on the vine, which means extremely concentrated grapes are produced on the unaffected side of the vine. Also noteworthy is d’Arenberg’s The Coppermine Road 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

REGION

Australia, South Australia, McLaren Vale

South Australia is the nation’s most important wine region. South Australia is to Australia what California is to the U.S. About half of Australia’s wine comes from South Australia and many of the country’s most acclaimed producers are there. Wineries based in South Australia include Penfolds Grange, Torbreck, Amon Ra, Henschke and Jacob’s Creek. The prestigious Barossa Valley is located in South Australia, and is often compared to Napa Valley because it is gorgeous topography covered in grape vines. First farmed by 19th century German-speakers who immigrated from what is now Poland, the Barossa Valley is the crown jewel of the region. South Australia has widely varying climates, from very hot, dry areas to cooler, high altitude areas. There are more than 150,000 acres of vineyards in South Australia, with more being planted each month. Shiraz is king, though the region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Semillon.

TYPE

Red Wine, Syrah (Shiraz)

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.