The 2007 Shiraz from Heathcote is an absolute bargain at this price. Possessing a deep garnet color and earthy / gamey notes surrounding a core of warm blackberry and black pepper, this is a very well balanced, medium-bodied style. A medium level of fine tannins and high acidity structure the fleshy fruit and support the long spicy finish. Drinking now, it should continue to give pleasure until 2015. Cooralook is a range of well priced wines developed by Yabby Lake Winery, which has branched out from Mornington Peninsula to produce regionally expressive wines from the Strathbogie Ranges and Heathcote. Adeptly forged by winemaker Tom Carson, formerly of Yering Station, these wines offer very good value.Importer: Yabby Lake Vineyard Inc., Lafayette, CA; tel. (925) 962-9229

Cooralook is making very good wines at affordable prices, and this Shiraz is in the same vein. It’s immediately approachable, offering crisp raspberry fruit tinged with herbal-grassy-briary notes and a softly dusty finish. It’s an easy sipper that won’t overpower most dishes.——J.C.(2/1/2010)—— 87