The 2006 WillowBend, a blend of 36% Shiraz, 33% Merlot, and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is produced from estate-grown fruit with vine age ranging from 28 to 33 years and spent 18 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak hogsheads (300-liter barrels). Purple-colored, it offers a fragrant bouquet of cedar, spice box, cassis, black cherry, and blueberry. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has plenty of succulent fruit in its forward personality. Although this lengthy effort may evolve for a year or two, it can be enjoyed now. It is an excellent value. It seems to be a symptom of the times for Australian wines in particular and the USA market in general that a quality producer such as Wayne Dutschke is struggling to get his wines on American shelves.Importer: Bluestone Wine Solutions, Carlsbad, CA; www.dutschkewines.com