The 2008 Reserve Shiraz comes from a single vineyard of 14 year old vines on a hillside site at the base of the hill edged by eucalyptus trees. It was aged for 18-20 months in 75% French oak / 25% American, 55% being new. Very deep purple-black colored, it reveals intense blackberry, black cherry and spiced blueberry notes with some lavender, cinnamon, cloves and anise and just a touch of dark chocolate. Quite full and rich in the mouth with very crisp acid, it has well integrated oak, medium-firm finely grained tannins and a very long, slightly warming finish. Though it’s still youthful and primary in fruit character, it’s very approachable now and should remain delicious to 2018. In the remote, Limestone Coast sub-region of Padthaway (just north of Coonawarra and slightly warmer), Henry’s Drive has been producing well made, regionally expressive and well priced wines since 1998. All the vineyards here are family owned so the wines are made from estate grown fruit with the majority of the plantings in Padthaway at the base of north-south hills and some on the hills, planted to a mix of terra rossa and sandy loam soils. In 2006 they purchased a 30 acre vineyard in McLaren Vale with the fruit featuring in the Dead Letter Office blend. Importer: Quintessential Wines, Napa, CA; tel. (914) 725-3479

Firm in texture and lively in flavor, brimming with juicy currant and blackberry fruit that glows nicely on the deftly modulated finish. Drink now through 2016. 2,300 cases made.??–HS??Region: Australia / Padthaway Select to Add

Big, bold and structured, this is a dry yet mouthwatering beast of a Shiraz, its blackberry, mocha and black olive notes held in check by firm tannins. Give it 3–4 years in the cellar, then drink it over the next several years.——J.C.(2/1/2012)—— 93