Reilly’s 2006 Stolen Block Shiraz was aged in 50% new French oak for 18 months. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up an enticing nose of smoked meat, game, spice box, and blueberry. Round, sweet, and layered on the palate, this well-balanced Shiraz will evolve for 2-3 years and be at its best from 2011 to 2021. Importer: Southern Starz, Huntington Beach, CA; tel. (714) 892-3030

Marked on the nose by scents of berry, rhubarb and leather, this wine morphs on the palate to offer flavors of prune, chocolate and date. Although the tannins are supple, the wine’s substantial alcohol (15.8%) shows through on the finish. Probably best consumed in its youth.——J.C.(2/1/2010)—— 84