Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2009 Bruce Shiraz offers intense blueberry and black cherry compote notes with underlying cassis, peppered salami and licorice aromas. Very full bodied, concentrated and rich, it has a good backbone of crisp acid and a medium level of rounded tannins, finishing long. Drink it now to 2019+. 600 cases were produced. Importer: CLD Imports, Barrington, IL; tel. (847) 898-9500

Iz Way’s 2008 Bruce Shiraz gives a very deep garnet-purple color and intense notes of warm black currant and blackberry over prunes, sandalwood, cinnamon stick, star anise and tree bark. The plush, opulent, full-bodied palate has crisp acid and firm fine-grained tannins, leaving lingering notes of baking spices and fruit cake. It’s approachable now and should continue to be delicious to 2016+. Torbreck’s very talented young winemaker, Craig Isbel, is one of the names behind this rising-star label.Importer: CLD Imports, Barrington, IL; tel. (847) 898-9500

The purple-colored 2006 Bruce Shiraz was sourced from 80-year-old vines in the prestigious Barossa sub-region of Ebenezer and from 30-year-old vines in Koonunga Hills. It was aged for 18 months in seasoned French oak before bottling without fining or filtration. The nose offers up wood smoke, mineral, bacon and blueberry leading to a relatively lean Shiraz with good flavors but not much complexity. Should readers see the 2005 Bruce Shiraz still on shelves, it offers the depth, concentration, and complexity lacking in the 2006. Izway Wines is a partnership of Craig Isbel and Brian Conway. Isbel’s day job is as winemaker at Torbreck.Importer: CLD Imports, Barrington, IL; tel. (847) 898-9500

The 2005 Bruce Shiraz was aged for 18 months in seasoned French oak before bottling without fining or filtration. A glass-staining opaque purple color, it emits a complex bouquet of wood smoke, game, bacon, incense, and blueberry. Dense, layered and succulent on the palate, this impeccably balanced Shiraz can be enjoyed over the next 8-10 years. Importer: CLD Imports, Barrington, IL; tel. (847) 898-9500