2 | Wine | Shiraz / Syrah, 2008

"Smoke, game, black tea, incense, blueberry, and blackberry aromas compose the bouquet of this relatively forward, plush, pleasure-bent Syrah. It can be approached now and will continue to provide enjoyment through 2020."

"Blackberry, spice cake and flowers on the nose. Then sweet and velvety in the mouth, with dark berry and cherry flavors that show a jammy quality. Soft tannins are buried in the fruit and add shape to the broad, pliant finish."

"Very deep garnet colored with a touch of brick, the 2008 Basket Pressed Shiraz offers a complex nose of mulberries, blackberry preserves and dried plums over hints of baking spices, Ceylon tea, tobacco and sandalwood. Very full bodied, big and powerful in the mouth, it offers generous layers of warm berry, dried fruit and baking spice layers supported by refreshing acidity and a medium to firm level of rounded tannins. The finish is long, spicy and just a little warm."

"Expansive aromas of cherry-cola, black raspberry, pipe tobacco and cracked pepper. Very rich but lively, offering dense red and dark berry flavors and a hint of licorice. Packs a serious punch and shows a chewy, youthfully tannic quality on the long, penetrating finish. In need of another few years in bottle, but this actually could be drunk soon, following some aeration."

"Assertively perfumed aromas of blackberry, cola, potpourri and licorice, with an emphatic smokiness. Bright and spicy on the palate, with mineral-driven dark berry compote flavors showing impressive clarity and a sexy floral nuance. Lively acidity gives lift and cut to the long, spicy finish."