Medium-weighted aromas of stewed fruit and Bing cherry offer a perfect interplay with notes of smoke and bacon. Complex and enticing the bouquet maintains its mixture of fruit and spicy savoury notes at it opens up. The forward and fruity palate has a moderately rich texture on the midpalate with fine tannins contributing to a spicy finish and just enough acid to keep the palate fresh and lively. Flavors of dark fruit and chocolate develop and add interest to the backpalate. Delicious and approachable this is a great example of the balanced style of shiraz starting to emerge from Australia. Drink over the next 4-6 years.

Cedar, chocolate and cherry are the main players, with hints of alfalfa adding a modicum of complexity. It's full bodied, round and warm, with tannins that seem firmer than many in this price category, making it a good steakhouse red. Drink it now and over the next several years. JOE CZERWINSKI