2002 Paringa Shiraz (Murray River, South Australia)

Dense, saturated black ruby color. Intense nose of ripe blueberries and blackberries, lots of toasty oak and a background note of eucalyptus. In the mouth, lacks some concentration and presence in the mid-palate, but full-bodied, and meaty on the finish, with oak and berry fruit vying for attention. Lots of soft tannin. 87 (which would have been a lot higher with if this wine didn't have a hole in the mid-palate). About $8 at Spec's (and lots of other places, as Paringa seems to be widely available).