I'm still not sure I have a firm grip on Australian Shiraz -- many of these wines were quite different from each other. And while all of these were highly rated by the critics, only a few were memorable for me. My favorites are in bold, and I think all of them are in stock at K&L Wines, if folks want to follow up on any.
- 2005 Wynns Shiraz Coonawarra South Australia ($10.99): a bargain, nice tannins, not complex, but not simple either, reminded me of Malbec
- 2006 Qupe Central Coast Syrah ($14.99): very easy to like, maybe too easy to like, but an excellent value, consistent California Syrah producer
- 2005 Kilikanoon "Testament" Shiraz Barossa Valley ($24.99)
- 2006 Torbreck "Woodcutters" Shiraz Barossa Valley ($16.99): hands down my favorite, darker berry flavors than the others, better knit together, a good deal at this price
- 2006 Thorn-Clarke "Shotfire" Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia ($16.99): a Wine Spectator Top 100 wine for 2007, but a bit too much vanilla for me
- 2006 Oliverhill "Jimmy Section" Shiraz McLaren Vale ($28.99): another very nice wine, but hard to recommend over the Torbreck given the price
- 2004 Heath "Southern Sisters Reserve" Shiraz Barossa Valley ($18.99): my second favorite of the night, in the words of Wine Spectator, "Aromatic, fleshy and seductive ... coffee- and cinnamon-scented black plum, blackberry and cherry fruit ... finishing ripe, supple and long."
- 2005 Eaglepoint Ranch Mendocino Syrah ($16.99): one more California entry, nice, but flavors not as well knit together as the Torbreck or Oliverhill
