The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (58%) – Shiraz (33%) – Malbec (9%) is a multi-regional blend with fruit sourced from Langhorne Creek, Barossa, and McLaren Vale. The wine was aged for 24 months in new French and American barriques. The wine is a saturated purple with aromas of pain grille, scorched earth, coffee, mint, black currant, black cherry, and chocolate. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with all components nicely integrated. The flavors are layered, bordering on opulent, with plenty of spice notes and some complexity. Nicely balanced and long, it will drink well from 2010 to 2020. Importer: Foster Wine Estates Americas, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-4500

This traditional blend of Cabernet and Shiraz has been enlivened in recent years with a touch of Malbec (9% this vintage). It’s a full-bodied, richly extracted wine, featuring ample spice notes of cinnamon and clove to go with flavors of cola, coffee and dark-skinned fruit. Muscular and tannic; try after 2010.——J.C.(9/1/2009)—— 92