The Coriole flagship is the 2006 Lloyd Reserve Shiraz, sourced from a vineyard planted in 1919 and aged in French oak for 22 months. Opaque purple-colored, it exhibits an alluring bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, black pepper, espresso, game, plum, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Slightly restrained on the palate, it has plenty of savory, spicy fruit which will need a few years to fully express itself. Well-balanced and lengthy, it should be in fine form from 2011 to 2022. Coriole Vineyards was founded in 1967 by the Lloyd family. The estate has 33 hectares of vines with plantings dating back to 1919, the rest from the late 1960s and early 1990s. Although the wines are generally competent, they seem to lack the excitement of some of their newer peers in McLaren Vale. A number of recommended Coriole wines are listed at the conclusion of this report.Importer: Robert Whale Selections, Washington, DC; www.coriole.com

Youthful ruby-red. Exotically perfumed bouquet of dark cherry, blackberry, mocha, candied licorice and smoky Indian spices. The spiciness continues on the palate, adding energy to the sweet red and dark berry flavors. Bitter chocolate, sassafras and cola notes carry through an impressively long, sweet finish, which leaves dusty tannins behind. Built to age but complex already.