Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2009 Exile Shiraz is scented of creme de cassis, blackberry preserves and dried plums with nuances of chocolate, cedar, damp loam and black olives. Very big, rich and densely fruited on the full bodied palate, the muscular fruit is supported by a firm level of grainy tannins and lively acid, finishing long and earthy. Approachable now, it should drink best 2013 to 2021+. The Colonial Estate does not currently have a USA importer.

The Colonial Estate’s two flagship wines come from their own property. The 2006 Exile was sourced from a single 140-year-old vineyard with the blend consisting of 85% Shiraz, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Grenache. Opaque purple/black in color, it exhibits a captivating perfume of toasty oak, smoke, black pepper, truffle, blueberry pie, and blackberry liqueur. Complex, silky-textured, and nicely balanced, this layered, lengthy wine will continue to improve over the next 4-6 years and have a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2026. The Colonial Estate is the Australian project of Englishman and Bordeaux chateau owner Jonathan Maltus. His first vintage in Australia was 2002. The entry level wines are line-priced at $30 offering excellent bang for the buck. Importer: Single Vineyard Imports, www.maltus.com

The 2005 Exile was sourced from a single dry-farmed vineyard owned by the winery and located in the center of Nuriootpa. It is composed of 85% Shiraz, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Grenache and was aged for 18-20 months in new French oak. Deep cherry-colored, it exhibits an alluring perfume of toasty oak, wood smoke, Asian spices, tar, blueberry, and black cherry. This leads to a full-bodied wine with chewy fruit, ripe flavors, great depth and concentration, and a pure, lengthy finish. Give this hedonistic effort 3-5 years in the cellar and drink it through 2030. The Colonial Estate is the Australian project of Englishman and Bordeaux chateau owner Jonathan Maltus. His 45 hectares in Saint-Emilion encompass Le Dome, Ch. Laforge, Clos Nardian, and Ch. Teyssier. His first vintage in Australia was 2002. Current production is up to 25,000 cases. Importer: USA Wine West, San Rafael, CA, Tel. (800) 485-5753 for John Larchet, The Australian Premium Wine Collection