A profound effort, the black/purple-colored 2004 Shiraz Nitschke Block, from a 4-acre vineyard planted in 1967, exhibits classic notes of creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, creosote, incense, crushed rocks, and white flowers. Ripe, full-bodied, powerful, super-rich, pure, and layered, it can be drunk over the next 10-15 years.Importer: Fran Kysela, Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228

Deep, saturated ruby. Intense bouquet offers blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry and exotic oak spices. Wonderfully rich, creamy and full, with sweet flavors of dark berry liqueur framed by supple, harmonious tannins. Expands through the long, spicy finish, showing sweet, lush, irresistible dark fruit flavors without losing its focus. Delicious already but has the stuffing to age.