In keeping with winemaker Steve Webber’s moderate-alcohol, food-friendly style, this 2008 is medium in weight, with a silky-textured finish. Although labeled as Shiraz-Viognier, the Viognier component isn’t really apparent in the wine, which features more classic Shiraz notes of tar, beef and tapenade. Drink it over the next several years.——J.C.(2/1/2011)—— 89

The 2007 Shiraz-Viognier (5%) spent 10 months in barrel. Dark ruby-colored, it sports an alluring nose of cedar, Asian spices, incense, bacon, and blueberry. Medium-bodied and elegant on the palate, this sweetly-fruited, impeccably balanced wine will evolve for 1-2 years and drink well from 2011 to 2019. De Bortoli Wines USA; Hoboken, NJ; tel. (201) 714-9700

(Victoria) Forward, generous, savoury and spicy nose. Not classically Australian. Nicely balanced, silky textured and approachable.