Deep garnet-brick colored, the 2007 The Formula Robert’s Shiraz gives mature notes of leather, tobacco and stewed tea over dried cranberries, fruit cake and coffee. Rich, densely packed and full-bodied in the mouth, the voluptuous fruit is well-balanced by crisp acid and rounded tannins, finishing long and spicy. Drink this one now to 2015. Importer: Ronnie Sanders, Vine Street Imports, Philadelphia, PA; www.vsimports.com

Deep garnet colored, the 2006 The Formula Robert’s Shiraz gives moderately intense aromas of crushed blackberries, black cherries, toast with marmite, earth, chocolate box and a whiff of fresh rolling tobacco. Concentrated and full-bodied, the palate is more forward than the nose with plenty of vibrant juicy fruit countered by crisp acid and medium to firm fine tannins lending support. It finishes long and spicy with lingering clove and fennel seed notes. Drink it now to 2015. Importer: Ronnie Sanders, Vine Street Imports, Philadelphia, PA; www.vsimports.com

The lineup begins with the opaque purple-colored 2005 The Formula Robert’s Shiraz. It exhibits an expressive nose of bacon and blueberry leading to a layered, easy going wine with a smooth texture and intense flavors. This superb value can be enjoyed over the next five years. Small Gully Wines is a partnership between winemaker Stephen Black and vineyard owner Robert Bader. The portfolio is loaded with remarkable values that should strike a resonant chord in our difficult economy.Importer: Ronnie Sanders, Vine Street Importers, Philadelphia, PA; tel. (215) 533-WINE