Ranked #13 of 17 1996 Shiraz from Barossa Valley
89/100
3.5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Medium red/brickred, not much purple left. Very dry, savoury nose, earthy, palate also very drying and lacks the detail of the better years. A bit tannin dominant. Very dry savoury and mono. Trace of eucalyptus. Firm rather tough palate.
Tasted: 16/03/2010
Drink: N/A
87 Points Robert Parker
The 1996 Shiraz Meschach is well-made with sweet fruit and medium body, but little complexity. It is fully mature and is not going anywhere, so drink it up.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Robert M. Parker, Jr. June, 2009
93 Points James Halliday
Medium to full red-purple; the bouquet is rich and complex, with lots of dark berry fruit and the oak under control. Dark cherry, plum and chocolate flavours on the palate are once again married with well-balanced and integrated oak; finishes with fine tannins. The best Meshach made to date. Drink to 2011.
Source: James Halliday. March, 2000
With Meshach I am seeking the epitome of the Barossa shiraz style - a big, powerful, intensely rich and robust dry red with the potential to age for 20-25 years and develop enormous complexity.
The 1996 vintage was an exceptional one in the Barossa - drier than normal but without excessive temperatures and producing wines with both elegance and richness. It is a powerful, stylish red showing beautiful integration of sweet fruit and American oak.The trademark Meshach tannins give the wine a firm backbone but the fleshiness of the fruit already provides an alluring softness.With careful cellaring, the 1996 Meshach will mature and improve for at least 20 years.
Grant Burge, Grant Burge website