A museum release from a bipolar vintage, defined by a mild and dry summer that shifted suddenly to a heat wave, striking mid-March. While there is ample power and a chord of heat, this full-bodied wine delivers a coating of detailed grape tannins melded to oak notes. Sweet fruit demands cellar temperature to facilitate a sense of freshness. Blueberries, dried sage, black olives and violets. with hints of licorice across the relentless finish. Drink or hold. Glass stopper. - Ned Goodwin MW

The 2008 Hill of Grace Shiraz is just looking so svelte and fine. The wine is elegant and spicy and super fine, and it leads with fresh leather and star anise, bay leaf, tobacco, curry leaf, cocoa and peppercorns that all twist and swirl through the bouquet. In the mouth, the tannins have evolved to a state of pure repose—seamless and fine, they flow and carry the Satsuma plum fruit along with it. This 2008 makes a very strong case for cellaring your wine for some time prior to drinking it. If you have the means, I would recommend buying some of this vintage (maybe solo, maybe with friends) and drinking a bottle. Experience the evolution of tannin and fruit. It's a wonder. It's a lovely wine, re-released into the wild. Lucky us. This has decades to go. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under Vinolok. - Erin Larkin

From a heatwave vintage comes this decadent but shapely 2008 Shiraz Hill of Grace. It immediately delivers blackberry, chocolate and new leather notes with tar and cassis touches. The palate follows suit, bold and dry, with flavors of licorice, dried spices and roasted meats before a long and muscular finish. The 2008 is an outlier, but the quality is undeniable. -- Angus Hughson