This ripe, rich red is nicely balanced to lift the flavors of plum and currant with freshness and vitality, lingering against hints of pear and spice as the finish sails on and on. Has depth and expression. Drink now through 2018. 400 cases made, 200 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add

Supple, fleshy and generous with its sweet blackberry, espresso and dark chocolate flavors, focused into a long and expressive finish. Drink now through 2017. 500 cases made.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add

The 2005 3 Rings Shiraz was sourced from vineyards averaging 85 years of age and was raised for 36 months in French oak demi-muids. It is purple/black in color with a superb, brooding nose of pain grille, pencil lead, mineral, smoked meat, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a full-bodied, layered, thick, rich Shiraz which will require a minimum of five years of further cellaring to begin unwinding. This full-throttle effort should offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2030. JP Belle Terroir is a joint project of Trevor Jones, Chris Ringland, and importer Dan Philips with fruit sourced from the primo Barossa sub-region of Ebenezer. R Wines is the company founded by importer and bacon baron Dan Philips and the veteran vigneron Chris Ringland. It encompasses four familiar labels, Marquis Philips (designated MP in these listings), 3 Rings, Roogle, and Bitch, along with 13 others created especially for R Wines. As is usual for master marketer Philips, the packaging is amazingly creative but, more importantly, the wines consistently over-deliver from low end to high end. The conclusion of this report contains a list of Values $20 and Under. Twenty-four R Wines are noted, many of which offer exceptional bang-for-the buck. What follows are notes are for the R Wines over $20. The rest of the Shiraz were sourced from the highly regarded 60+-year-old Ebenezer vineyards of Adrian Hoffman who is a partner in the venture.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (805) 278-9095

The 2004 Shiraz Reserve was sourced from 40- and 100-year-old vines yielding a meager 0.5 tons per acre. It was aged 30 months in 600-litre demi-muids. Purple/black in color, it exhibits a splendid, brooding perfume of cedar, scorched earth, licorice, blueberry compote, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a thick, rich, voluptuous Shiraz with all components totally integrated and harmonious. The finish is exceptionally long and pure. It will evolve for a decade and drink well through 2030. R Wines is a new company founded by importer and marketing genius, Dan Philips, along with co-owner, renowned winemaker, Chris Ringland. Winemakers for R Wines are Chris Ringland, Lisa Wetherell, Andrew Hercock, and John Hughes. It encompasses four familiar labels, Marquis Philips, 3 Rings, Roogle, and Bitch, along with 13 others created especially for R Wines. Needless to say, the packaging of these wines is amazingly creative but, more importantly, what is in the bottle consistently over-delivers from low-end to high-end.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; (805) 278-9095