There are 9,000 cases of the 2005 Explorateur Old Vines Shiraz (with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend). It was aged for 12 months in French oak and bottled unfiltered. Purple-colored, it displays reticent aromas of toast, scorched earth, tar, blueberry, and blackberry. Ripe and sweet, with some elegance, it has good depth, moderate tannin, and a medium-long finish. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it through 2020. The Colonial Estate is the Australian project of Englishman and Bordeaux chateau owner Jonathan Maltus. His 45 hectares in Saint-Emilion encompass Le Dome, Ch. Laforge, Clos Nardian, and Ch. Teyssier. His first vintage in Australia was 2002. Current production is up to 25,000 cases.Importer: USA Wine West, San Rafael, CA, Tel. (800) 485-5753 for John Larchet, The Australian Premium Wine Collection

A blend of fruit from the northern end of the Barossa, this is dark and loamy, filled with earth, spice and tobacco, but also featuring hints of meat, black olive and blueberries. The mouthfeel is lush and soft, and despite some slightly cooked fruit there’s surprising freshness on the dusty finish. Drink now–2015.——J.C.(11/1/2007)—— 90