Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2009 Reserve Shiraz is a little youthfully subdued, offering a moderate intensity of crushed blackberry and warm plum aromas with an undercurrent of black cherries, freshly cracked black pepper, smoky bacon and cedar. Full bodied, it gives a firm level of tight-knit, grainy tannins in the mouth with taut fruit and medium-high acid. The finish is long and savory imparting a lingering suggestion of peppered game. Consider drinking this 2012 to 2020+. Importer: The Ravensvale Group, Naples, FL; tel. (800) 580-0052

The 2008 Reserve Shiraz gives a deep garnet purple color and aromas of warm blackberries, kirsch, white pepper, cardamom, mocha and mace. Medium to full-bodied, it possesses some very fine, firm tannins on the palate and a high level of acid. This is a very well balanced wine with a long finish that should drink best from 2012 to 2019. Having recently stepped into his father’s shoes who had been making wines at this small estate (8-10,000 cases) in the Pyrenees since 1979, Mark Summerfield has been working incredibly hard to tweak and improve quality in the vineyards and the winery. It shows – there’s not a wine that’s less than outstanding amongst his current releases.Note: Because of conflicting brand names, these wines are labeled as “Syan” in the USA market and parts of Europe and Asia, but elsewhere they are sold under the family name, “Summerfield.” Importer: The Ravensvale Group, Naples, FL; tel. (800) 580-0052

The 2006 Reserve Shiraz exhibits an exotic, sexy perfume of wild blueberry, leather, and espresso. Broad shouldered, ripe, and round on the palate, this velvety-textured wine goes down easy now but should drink well for a decade. Syan is known as Summerfield in markets other than the United States. It is a small, family-run winery that employs the renowned Drew Noon MW as winemaking consultant.Importer: Jane Delaney, The Ravensvale Group, Naples, FL; tel. (800) 580-0052

This bold Victorian Shiraz shows promise in its spicy, savory aromas and intense plum and blueberry fruit. But for folks who are sensitive to elevated alcohol levels, the fun stops there, as this wine’s opulent, creamy texture is dominated by alcoholic heat.——J.C.(12/31/2008)—— 86