4 | Wine | Barossa, 86 to 90

"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."

"Deep red. Aromas of red fruits, rose, lavender and cracked pepper, with a smoky overtone. Tangy redcurrant and raspberry flavors show very good clarity and pick up a subtle floral pastille quality with air, along with a touch of botanical herbs. Closes with good energy and cut and a note of tangy berry."

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

"Glass-staining ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented aromas of cassis, cherry-cola and candied licorice show very good energy and a peppery nuance. Sweet, expansive and lively, offering potent dark fruit flavors and showing silky, seamless texture. Lingers on a spicy note, with excellent focus and tenacity."

"Blended of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro, the 2008 The Steading gives a deep garnet color and aromas of warm mulberries and dried plums with an undercurrent of spice box, sandalwood and kirsch. Very full and generous in the mouth with a good amount of enlivening acidity, it is displaying mature, dried berry and spice flavors textured with a medium level of velvety tannins and finishing long. Drinking now, it should remain good to 2016+."

"Lively, spice-accented aromas of black raspberry and boysenberry, with suggestions of cola and licorice adding depth. Zesty dark berry flavors show very good clarity and focus, picking up a spicecake nuance with air. Finishes on a gently sweet note, with very good persistence."

"The 2009 Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet-purple color and intense aromas of creme de cassis, crushed blackberries and black cherries plus nuances of Provence herbs and dark chocolate. Medium-full bodied and generously fruited in the mouth, it possesses finely grained tannins, crisp acid and a long finish."

"Poached pear, nectarine and orange peel on the nose, along with a pungent herbal accent. Lush and creamy in texture, with gently sweet pit fruit flavors and a touch of heat. Becomes tighter with air and finishes with good bite and modest persistence."

"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."