The spectacular 1996 Shiraz Lloyd Reserve (160 six-bottle packs imported to the US) boasts a thick-looking, dark purple/garnet color as well as lavish quantities of toasty American oak mixed with blackberry liqueur. The wine possesses fabulous concentration, loads of glycerin, full body, low acidity, and a blockbuster 40+ second finish. A huge, chewy, surprisingly harmonious, mouth-filling Syrah made from 60-year old vines, it should drink well for 15+ years.Importer: Appellation Imports, LLC, Annapolis Junction, MD; tel. (410) 880-4790

Ripe, rich and beautifully focused to emphasize the plum, blackberry and spice flavors as they expand across the palate. Texture is like velvet as the fine-grained tannins immerse themselves in the wine. Drink now through 2011. 75 cases made.??–HS??Region: Australia / McLaren Vale Select to Add

Saturated deep ruby. Bright fruit-driven aromas of blackberry, violet and woodsmoke. Explosive, generous and mouthfilling; thick with extract. A large-scaled, harmonious wine with a texture that reminded me of a top Northern Rh?′ne syrah. Built to age, but already quite drinkable.