The deep blue/purple-colored, blockbuster 2001 Shiraz boasts impressive blackberry fruit notes along with admirable purity, full body, and a dense, fragrant, opulent personality. As my tasting notes read, it is “just a lot of fun to drink.” Some air-head will no doubt suggest there is a lack of terroir character, but that is irrelevant given the enormous pleasure this wine provides. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.This is the kind of wine that offends Europeans and Eurocentrists, but which Australia can do so well when there are reasonably low yields and top-flight winemaking (in this case, Veritas’s renowned Rolf Binder). I have been working my way through my stash of 1998 Killibinbin Shiraz, and must admit it is one of the most popular wines with guests. Contrary to critics who believe these wines fall apart in a few years, the 1998 remains a youthful five-year old that has not moved far from its primary state. In any event, this is a big, fruit-forward, rich, concentrated, substantial, corpulent Australian red that is undoubtedly more ageworthy than most suspect. The purity of its flavor, enticing texture, and luscious personality in addition to its fair price, will please many tasters.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283

The 2001 Shiraz/Cabernet (35% of the former and 65% of the latter) is an outstanding bargain, revealing an opaque purple color, copious quantities of pure blackberry and cassis fruit, explosive ripe flavors, and a hedonistic, classic south Australian, fruity style. Terroirists and pseudo-intellectuals may turn up their noses at a wine that tastes this good, but this is an exciting red to drink over the next 3-4 years. I have immensely enjoyed the big, sweet, rich fruit found in Killibinbin's reds.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283