Hamilton's Ewell Vineyards Barossa Valley Railway Shiraz, 2000

The color of this wine is still very deep, dark and bluish, but it's beginning to show some signs of maturity with lightening shades around the rim. Smells very plummy and ripe. Blackberries, cassis, cinnamon, coffee. A thick body with rich, ripe flavors, front to back. Railway Shiraz is at a nice level of maturity right now, with fruit and spice showing nicely. If you're a fan of Australian Shiraz, you'll love this wine right now. My only complaint, as with most Barossa Shiraz, is that it's a bit too ripe, without the peppery edge that I look for in a good Rhone Syrah. The first glass is lovely; the second, not as interesting.