The 2005 Tipico is composed of 40% Grenache, 40% Monastrell, and 20% Shiraz produced entirely from estate-grown fruit. It was barrel-fermented and aged for 15 months in used French oak puncheons. Opaque purple-colored, it exhibits a complex bouquet of cedar, Asian spice, damp earth, white pepper, kirsch, and blueberry compote. This leads to a full-bodied wine with a velvety texture, complex cherry and dark fruit flavors, ripe tannin, and a long, pure finish. Drink this value-priced wine over the next 6-8 years. Cascabel is a 5 hectare estate, 4 of which are planted to nine varieties. It is the project of Duncan Ferguson and Susana Fernandez, a native of Madrid. The goal is to put a Spanish face on McLaren Vale wines.Importer: Ken Onish and John Gorman, Southern Starz; tel. (714) 892-3030

Distinctively peppery, with a warm, sunny feel to the fruit and an animal note persisting on the round finish. Evokes the look and feel of a Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache, Monastrell and Shiraz. Drink now through 2012. 500 cases made.??–HS??Region: Australia / McLaren Vale Select to Add