The 2008 Shiraz The Cream is exactly as the name suggests, representing the cream of the 2008 First Drop crops, the very best barrels of the vintage. This year the wine is composed of the following sub-regional proportions: 43% Seppeltsfield, 29% Ebenezer and 28% Greenock. The wine is aged for 24 months predominately in new French oak hogsheads with some American oak barriques. Very deep garnet-purple colored, this wine gives intense notes of crushed blueberries, blackberries, baking spices and cloves with some earthiness, a toasty undercurrent plus a whiff of violets. Tautly structured by firm fine tannins and razor sharp acid that cuts though the rich, full, fat berry flavors, this wine demonstrates great balance and leaves a very long cinnamon toast and berry laced finish. Drink it 2014 to 2022+. Importer: Ronnie Sanders, Vine Street Imports, Philadelphia, PA; www.vsimports.com

Smooth, ripe and distinctive for its pomegranate and guava flavors around a core of cherry and spice, lingering on the finely articulated finish. The tannins are nicely honed. Impressive for its refinement. Best from 2013 through 2020. 400 cases made, 112 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add