95 Points Robert Parker
One of this estate’s flagship wines, the 2003 The Dead Arm Shiraz appears to be better than the 2002. A deeper, richer, fuller-bodied offering that spent time in equal parts French and American oak, it possesses an opaque purple color, great intensity, and a fabulously sweet nose of blackberries, cassis, asphalt, earth, and oak. Powerful, super-concentrated, and obviously fashioned from low yields and old vines, this is a classic McLaren Vale old vine Shiraz that should age nicely for 15+ years.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Robert M. Parker, Jr. October, 2005
93 Points James Halliday
Deep colour; typically massively rich and concentrated; black fruits, chocolate, tannins and oak are all fighting each other for top spot. Hopefully, a truce will be declared in 5 or so years. Drink to 2018.
James Halliday. June, 2021
RP 95 points: One of this estate’s flagship wines, the 2003 The Dead Arm Shiraz appears to be better than the 2002. A deeper, richer, fuller-bodied offering that spent time in equal parts French and American oak, it possesses an opaque purple color, great intensity, and a fabulously sweet nose of blackberries, cassis, asphalt, earth, and oak. Powerful, super-concentrated, and obviously fashioned from low yields and old vines, this is a classic McLaren Vale old vine Shiraz that should age nicely for 15+ years.
95 points. Source: Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) October 2005 by Robert Parker