The 2002 and 2001 The Stump Jump (identical blends of 75% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, and 5% Mourvedre) are essentially equal in quality, with the 2002 displaying more fat, flesh, and sweet fruit. While the 2001 may be less lush, it is a fruit-driven, tasty red. The wine is dark ruby-colored, with soft tannin, good body, and loads of character/soul. It represents d’Arenberg’s interpretation of a southern French Cotes du Rhone. This wine is ready to drink during its first 2-3 years of life. Chester Osborn, the remarkable person behind this enormous array of both impeccably high quality and value-priced wines, deserves considerable accolades for what he is able to achieve at all price ranges. If you love Australian wines, d’Arenberg is a winery to seek out as these offerings all possess abundant soul as well as character. In short, the accolades that proprietor/winemaker Chester Osborn receives not only from The Wine Advocate, but virtually everybody in the wine world, are all well deserved.Importer: Rob McDonald, Old Bridge Cellars, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 258-9552

Crowd-pleasing and agreeable, with black fruit rounded out with oak and caramel accents. Fruit turns redder on the finish, but the oak remains. Nose brims with marshmallow-vanilla fluffiness, plus cherry and earth.——D.T.(12/31/2003)—— 86