2014 d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz

95 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion

Part hand, part machine-harvested, crushed and destemmed, 2-3 weeks on skins in an open headed down fermenter, matured for 20 months in French oak (8% new) and a dab of American oak. Deep crimson-purple; ultra full-bodied and densely packed with the darkest black fruits, licorice, 70% cacao dark chocolate and ripe tannins. Will live forever.

94 POINTS

Mike Bennie - The Wine Front

The d’Arenberg wine range is giddying in its scope now, so much so that I don’t know what is meant to be flagship, so in my mind, and I guess many, this, Dead Arm, is The One. Good year for red wines from The Vale. It’s powerful, chewy, densely packed with dark fruits, warm spice, cedary licks and gritty tannins. It’s quite tight and firm in its present stage, but has the feel of pent up McLaren Vale shiraz that can go a distance. Perfume holds the invite in blackcurrant, choc-liqourice bullets, twigs-briar and fireplace wood scents, violets. Attractive as. Texture for now goes a dry mouth gummy, but I wager the wine relaxes in a year with mellow fruit softening things nicely. Good release here. Very good, indeed.

94 POINTS

Josh Raynolds - Vinous

Inky ruby. Mineral- and smoke-accented dark berries, cola, licorice and vanilla on the deeply perfumed nose; a hint of cracked pepper adds spicy lift. Stains the palate with juicy cherry and black currant flavors supported by an undercurrent of smoky minerality that adds energy and back-end cut. Picks up a sexy floral nuance on the impressively persistent finish, which is framed by youthfully gripping tannins.

92 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2014 The Dead Arm Shiraz offers expressive blueberry, blackberry and licorice notes with hints of Provence herbs, tapenade, garrigue and cracked black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate provided a taut backbone of firm, grainy tannins and refreshing acidity packed with black fruit and earthy flavor layers, finishing long.

92 POINTS

James Suckling

A chewy and rich red with tannic and berry character. Dark chocolate and walnut undertones. Medium to full body, bright acidity and a clean and flavorful finish. Drink now but better in 2019 for the tannins to resolve.

91 POINTS

Christina Pickard - Wine Enthusiast

In typical d'Arenberg style, this top-tier red is deeply hued and in need of many years in the cellar. Currently, it's emanating aromas of Black Forest cake, dried mint, licorice, warm pavement and tangy cranberry. The palate is plush and chocolatey, with sinewy tannins and balanced acidity. Drink 2021–2033.

Wine Spectator

Dense and muscular, with rustic edges to the blackberry, dried cherry and black licorice flavors. Dried herb, spice and tobacco notes linger, as do the dusty, chewy tannins.

Richard Hemming MW - JancisRobinson.com

Leathery and medicinal – a real savoury style with heft and chew. Reflects old Australia: beefy, heavy, bold and flavoursome but also aromatic and lush. Score: 17.5/NaN