The 2007 Hard Yards Shiraz spent 12 months in seasoned French and American oak. The bouquet offers more aromatic interest with its notes of cedar, spice box, mineral, game, and blueberry. Smooth-textured on the palate, it has layers of sweet fruit, incipient complexity, fine balance, and a fruit-filled finish. This outstanding value is meant to be enjoyed over the next half-dozen years. Importer:Southern Starz, Huntington Beach, CA; tel. (714) 892-3030

The opaque purple 2006 “Hard Yards” Shiraz, aged for 15 months in used American oak, offers superb aromatics for a wine of its modest price. It reveals spice box, pepper, mocha, and blueberry compote, followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with concentrated, ripe, sweet black fruits, a firm structure, and a pure finish. Although most purchasers will opt for drinking it near term, it will take on additional nuances with 2-3 years of cellaring. It is an outstanding value Importer: Ken Onish and John Gorman, Southern Starz; tel. (714) 892-3030

The 2005 Shiraz Hard Yards exhibits a deep color, soft tannins, attractive plum, blackberry, and currant fruit, and hints of earth as well as spice. This well-made effort is best consumed over the next several years. Importer: Ken Onish & John Gorman, Southern Starz, Huntington Beach, CA; tel. (714) 892-3030