At 21 years old, the 1999 Australian Stonehaven Shiraz from Limestone Coast cost under $20, had 14% alcohol, and scored 16+ points on the Dionysian 20-point scale.

Complex and rich black fruits of blackberry, black raspberry and black pepper fill the glass. There was little sediment and it was not decanted. The color was ruby with a brick edge.

My last ’99, but I’ll order some new ones to use during the next 8 to 10 years. It was served with a spinach-filled loin of pork and worked well. If younger, it may have been too fruity for the dish.

With air, cocoa and cinnamon notes rose mixed with plum. Their back label says “it will develop with further cellaring” and it sure did. In Vino Veritas.