Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 The Gate Shiraz gives intense aromas of blueberry pie filling, warm mulberries and fruit cake with hints of licorice, dark chocolate and vanilla. Full bodied with plenty of mouth-filling, juicy fruit, it has a good line of lively acid providing lift and a medium level of rounded tannins, finishing long. Drink this one now to 2017+. Importer: Precept Brands, Seattle WA

2006 The Gate Shiraz has a deep garnet color with a hint of purple. On the nose it gives earthy, musky notes with a core of maturing fruit, dried cranberries and cherries with some tobacco, fig, black olive and soy, plus whiffs of meat and menthol. Full bodied and generously fruited, it has medium-high acid and medium-firm fine-grained tannins with a long layered finish that reveals some baking spices. Delicious now, it should continue to evolve over the next 3-6 years and drink to 2020+. Importer: Precept Brands, Seattle, WA