3 | Wine | Red Blend, Barossa, $10 to $20

"Glass-staining purple. An expressive, heady bouquet gives out candied red fruits, potpourri and Asian spices, with a smoky nuance gaining power in the glass. Rich but lively, offering vibrant raspberry and cherry-cola flavors and notes of allspice and star anise. Sweet and silky on a finish that keeps on with impressive tenacity and spiciness. This wine always delivers outstanding value."

"Red cherry and raspberry aromas over tree bark, cinnamon stick and black pepper. Medium bodied with a good concentration of earthy berry flavors, it has crisp acid, grainy tannins and a long finish."

"Supple, velvety and generous with its red berry, cherry and cream flavors, mingling on the long and easygoing finish."

"Yalumba The Scribbler 2010 opens with a lift of raspberries, sweet spices and licorice followed by the fresh aromatics of herbs and crushed plums. This is a beautifully polished wine of medium to full body. The Cabernet Sauvignon structure defines the palate with the Shiraz cascading generously through the middle."

"Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2011 Three Gardens SMG shows aromas of red currants, red plums and cassis with nuances of black pepper, tree bark, orange peel, and Provence herb. Medium to full bodied, it is very spicy in the mouth with plenty of red and black fruit framed by refreshing acid, a medium level of velvety tannins and a long finish."