On the nose, this 2008 Eric Stevens Purbrick Shiraz is overtly chocolaty and sweet, with toasted vanilla pod, cocoa, blood plum and coffee grounds. This is punchy and rich, with loads of fruit flavor, but there's not as much nuance and leafiness that I have seen in earlier vintages. It has a pleasing nod toward vintage variation (without it, we wouldn't have interest or reason to taste widely) and a bigger, bolder style than my favorite wine of the tasting so far: the 2006. Very good.