2006 Clare Valley vintage is one of the best in years, Simon Osicka senior winemaker at Leasingham believes Shiraz to be the the best since the benchmark 1998. "In terms of overall quality at all grades, the 2006 vintage has been a very rewarding one. The quality from all sub-regions of the district has been consistently good," he said. A superb job finessing vines at the older Schobers and Provis vineyards, the attention to detail focused on canopies leading up to vintage, which has resulted in an outstanding Magnus

Near-perfect seasonal conditions in the lead-up to harvest have produced rich, ripe and concentrated flavours in the Shiraz. A relatively mild to warm season from spring through to harvest ripened the fruit to near-perfection. Grape picking started on schedule, the vintage progressed so well, that premium parcels were harvested one week earlier than previous years. A particularly good year for Shiraz, which is incredibly fragrant, exhibits fabulous concentration, very sweet fruit and lots of plum and mulberry characters. The hallmark Shiraz characters are very powerful, with some serious attitude, and texturaly rich, 2006 will be viewed as a terrific Magnus Shiraz vintage for many years to come. Approx 14.0%

Deep ruby red, this wine displays lifted aromas of raspberries, mocha and black pepper spice. With vibrant and expressive fruit, the palate shows flavours of red berries and chocolate. Balanced by juicy acidity, this Shiraz has fleshy sweetness and mouth filling lingering tannins. A plump and fruity concentrated wine with plenty of pepper and blackberry cassis fruit. Sublime in origin, offering regional expressions of mint and tar, hints of violet and a sweet, loamy earthiness, magical oak playing a background role to the wine's fruit and body. The wine shows all the hallmarks of Clare Valley reds, with expressive flavour and a full rich structure. Generous and honest, a reflection of one of Australia’s premier Shiraz regions.

Yet another monster in the glass with a dark, brooding deep red colour. The nose shows mocha, Christmas cake spices, dark chocolate, mint, lovely dark fruits, herbs and black pepper. In the mouth it is no less restrained with a dark but ripe and concentrated profile however, in what is (was) a hallmark of the label was an elegance that is ridiculous at this price with savoury notes that balance out the obvious quality fruit. The oak is there somewhere - not poking its head out and nor would one want it to with lashings of this lovely fruit. The length and tannin structure unmatched for this sort of money. Almost by chance I gave this the 24 hour test and it just kept on getting better. A wine at this price will generally be consumed on release but the fruit, tannin and acid structure lends itself to excellent short term (5-6 years) cellaring. Excellent. Drink: 2010-2016; Quality: Excellent; BW; WineStar© August 2009

Commended - 2009 International Wine Challenge
Gold Medal - 2008 Cowra Wine Show
Silver Medal - 2009 Sydney Wine Show
Silver Medal - 2007 Clare Wine Show

Bright and minerally, with a cherry note glowing at the core and fine tannins settling gently over the finish. Drink now through 2011. Release Price: $US12; Country: Australia; 6,500 cases imported. Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator