4 | Wine | Shiraz / Syrah | Page 4

"Inky purple. Ripe plum and cherry on the nose, with complicating spice and dark chocolate qualities. Offers an array of dark fruit flavors that show very good depth and a touch of cracked pepper. Soft tannins add grip to a long, smooth finish. Serve this hefty wine with assertively seasoned grilled beef or lamb."

"Deeply pitched aromas of cherry compote, potpourri and Asian spices, with an exotic note of singed orange. Concentrated but surprisingly lively, with densely packed dark berry flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate. The floral note comes back strongly on the impressively long, smoky finish."

"The 2011 Syrah from McManis Family Vineyards presents deep purple with a bit of ruby color in its vibrant hue. Bright Cherry and ripe red Raspberry are the predominant aromas and the fruit is accompanied by a mild Vanilla as well. The flavor is full of the sweetness promised by the abundance of the fruit discovered by the olfactory, and the flavors turn a bit more to black fruits than one would expect, given the nose. The rich creamy texture coats the mouth, and the integration of fruit and oak is evident as the wine is swallowed."

"Crushed red berries, sweet spice and cedary notes. Deep and dark in the palate, this Shiraz offers classic red berry fruit, Christmas cake spices, dried figs and a long, juicy finish. Serve with herb crusted leg of lamb, medium rare, and a handful of oven baked potato wedges."

"Deep purple black in color, the 2011 Red Silk Shiraz is scented of macerated black plums, crushed blackberries and black currants with underlying black pepper and Indian spice hints. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of youthful black berry and pepper flavors on offer in the mouth, it has a solid backbone of medium to firm grainy tannins and refreshing acidity, finishing with good length."