The 2007 Driftsand Grenache (60%)-Shiraz (40%) received the same upbringing as the Christine’s Grenache. Dark ruby-colored, it offers up a gorgeous aromatic array of cigar box, Asian spices, violets, black cherry, and black currant. Velvety-textured, medium to full-bodied and already revealing some complexity, this seamless wine effortlessly glides into a plush, pure, lengthy finish.Christian Canute’s signature style of winemaking usually pays off with distinctive wines unlike anything else coming out of Barossa Valley.Importer: CLD Imports; Barrington, IL; tel. (847) 898-9500

The 2006 Driftsand Grenache (60%)-Shiraz (40%), aged for 18 months in old (5-10 years) French oak. Dark ruby-colored, the wine has a super-expressive bouquet of damp earth, mineral, violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Silky-smooth, elegant, yet intense and rich, this classy effort has a fruit-filled finish that goes on and on. Rusden is where the gifted Christian Canute makes wine on the family property in Barossa. He has a unique ability to produce wines of great finesse combined with the intensity and power obtained from the best Barossa Valley fruit.Importer: CLD Imports, Barrington, IL; tel. (847) 898-9500

The 2005 Grenache (60%) – Shiraz (40%) “Driftsand” was aged for 18 months in neutral French oak. Medium ruby-colored, it delivers a fragrant perfume of lavender, sage, strawberry, and rhubarb. Supple and sweet, with no hard edges, this easy-going blend, lacking only complexity, can be savored over the next 6-8 years. Rusden is owned by Dennis and Christian Canute with the talented Christian serving as winemaker. The vines were planted in the early 1970s in the tenderloin of the Barossa. Christian Canute has a unique ability to produce wines of great finesse combined with the intensity and power obtained from Barossa Valley fruit.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; www.rusdenwines.com.au; Also tasted: 2006 Chenin Blanc “Christian” (83)