The 2006 Shiraz “Allyson Parsons” exhibits a terroir-driven nose with earth, leather, and mushroom elements in the foreground. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with decent blue and black fruit flavors which lack depth and length. Drink it over the next several years. Craneford has no estate vineyards, purchasing fruit from selected Barossa Valley grape growers. There are two tiers of wine, the value-priced Allyson Parsons line, and the flagship Craneford label.Importer: Ken Onish and John Gorman, Southern Starz; www.cranefordwines.com

An outstanding cuvee, the value-priced 2005 Shiraz Allyson Parsons’s inky/ruby/purple color is followed by an explosive bouquet of licorice, blackberries, and chocolate. Dense, opulent, and fleshy, it can be drunk now and over the next 3-4 years. Importer: Ken Onish & John Gorman, Southern Starz, Huntington Beach, CA; tel. (714) 892-3030