"Built for the long term, this complete and sumptuous wine marries spicy aromas of violets, cassis, cloves and fennel with raspberries and mocha/vanilla oak. Its palate goes forever, is firm to finish and finely balanced, leaving a lingering impression of a big, spicy dark liqueur chocolate. (18.8, Drink 2008-2016)"  95 points, Jeremy Oliver's On Wine, 07.01.00.

"The spectacular 1996 Shiraz Lloyd Reserve (160 six-bottle packs imported to the US) boasts a thick-looking, dark purple/garnet color as well as lavish quantities of toasty American oak mixed with blackberry liqueur. The wine possesses fabulous concentration, loads of glycerin, full body, low acidity, and a blockbuster 40+ second finish. A huge, chewy, surprisingly harmonious, mouth-filling Syrah made from 60-year old vines, it should drink well for 15+ years."  Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Feb. 2000.

"Ripe, rich and beautifully focused to emphasize the plum, blackberry and spice flavors as they expand across the palate. Texture is like velvet as the fine-grained tannins immerse themselves in the wine. Drink now through 2011. 75 cases made. (HS)"  The Wine Spectator, May 15, 2000.