Ian Rathjen is owner/winemaker of Whistling Eagle. His mentor was David “Duck” Anderson of the renowned Wild Duck Creek Winery in Heathcote. The 2005 Shiraz “Eagle’s Blood” was aged in a mix of French and American oak. Opaque purple-colored, it has an expressive perfume of cedar, smoke, pencil lead, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. This leads to a full-bodied, velvety-textured wine which manages to retain some elegance despite its size. There is excellent depth, concentration, and well-concealed tannins. Give it 2-3 years in the cellar and drink it through 2020.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; www.whistlingeagle.com

The impressive 2005 Shiraz/Viognier (94% of the former and 6% of the latter) which was fashioned from relatively young vines, and was aged in a combination of new French and American oak. Its dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by a big, uplifted, exotic perfume of flowers, litchi nuts, black cherry jam, and a touch of blackberries. Full-bodied, opulent, and fleshy with significant tannin in the finish, it is best cellared for another 2-3 years, and consumed over the following 10-15. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283

Amazingly supple, generous and distinctive, with a range of mineral flavors enhancing the red berry and dark plum fruit, which expands exponentially on the long, sharply focused finish. The tannins are well-submerged. Best from 2009 through 2015. 550 cases made, 150 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Victoria / Heathcote Select to Add