The 2007 Shiraz Sophie’s Garden from Padthaway is a saturated purple color with an aromatic array of smoke, meat, and blueberry. Structured and lean on the palate, it has some sweet fruit but only moderate length. Drink this sinewy Shiraz over the next 6-7 years. Michael Twelftree’s Two Hands negociant label is solid but not quite up to the standards established by the past several years because of the challenging 2007 and 2008 vintages in South Australia. The wines are discussed in the order in which they were presented. The Garden Series is designed to highlight Shiraz from a diversity of appellations (or GIs as they are known in Australia).Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; www.twohandswines.com

Ripe and focused, delivering an explosive mouthful of black cherry, blackberry and black pepper flavors, with an earthy edge to the sweet fruit as this lingers on the big, rich finish. Drink now through 2015. 450 cases made, 175 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Padthaway Select to Add

Dense and fudge-like in consistency, with aromas and flavors of mocha, molasses and marinated beef. It’s as if the fruit has been cooked down into an intense reduction, with even the acids magnified into tartness on the finish. At 16.4% alcohol, this is probably a better match with the cheese course than with a main.——J.C.(2/1/2010)—— 89