A lithe and supple red, offering a lively mouthful of mineral-accented blackberry, cherry, tea leaf and licorice flavors, persisting with finesse on the long, vivid finish. Drink now through 2018. 800 cases made, 150 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Victoria / Yarra Valley Select to Add

The 2008 Reserve Release Syrah is a real step-up in terms of quality. This is produced from 39 year vines and fermented using 100% whole bunches. Possessing a very deep garnet-purple color, this wine has a gamey, smoked duck and venison character with complementary notes of black cherry sauce, some licorice and a touch of truffles. Very concentrated and rich in the mouth with medium-firm, fine tannins and medium-high acid, it finishes very long. Though tempting to drink now, this wine will improve with 1 to 2 years in bottle and should evolve nicely over the next 8 to 10 years. Only 700 cases made. Windy Peak is the name of De Bortoli’s entry level Victoria range, often offering solid, well-made wines of impressive volumes at very good value.Importer: De Bortoli Wines USA Inc.; tel. + 1 201 714 9700; www.debortoli.com.au

The 2007 Syrah Reserve Release was sourced from a vineyard planted in 1971, was naturally fermented, and was aged for 10 months in seasoned French oak before bottling without fining or filtration. Purple-colored, it offers a captivating aromatic array of mineral, lavender, smoked game, bacon and blueberry in a style reminiscent of a quality Cote-Rotie. Medium-bodied, elegant, and silky, it has the structure to evolve for 2-3 years and will offer a drinking window extending from 2012 to 2022. Importer: De Bortoli Wines USA; Hoboken, NJ; tel. (201) 714-9700