Longwood’s 2008 Reserve Shiraz was aged in a mix of new and used French and American oak for 17 months. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up a brooding bouquet of Asian spices, incense, black raspberry, boysenberry, and blueberry preserves. Medium to full-bodied and mouth-filling on the palate, it is intense, concentrated, and layered with savory fruit. Long in the finish, it will drink well now through 2018.Importer: Southern Starz, Huntington Beach, CA; tel. (714) 892-3030

The 2005 Shiraz Reserve was aged for 18 months in 50% new American oak and 50% used French oak. Purple/magenta in color, it presents an aromatic array of pain grille, scorched earth, plum, game, and blueberry. Layered and sweet, this full-bodied Shiraz has a solid structure, superb balance, and a long, pure finish. Give it 4-6 years to blossom and drink it through 2024.Importer: Ken Onish and John Gorman, Southern Starz; Tel: +61 (0)3 5798 5291 Also tasted: 2006 Shiraz “The Shearer” (75)

This is a full-bodied, firmly structured Shiraz with plummy, intense aromas tinged with licorice and framboise. Bits of chocolate, mint and spice accent the plum and raspberry flavors, and the wine finishes crisp, dry and deeply textured. It should drink well from now through 2015.——J.C.(8/1/2008)—— 91