The purple-colored 2006 Shiraz Bailey’s Vineyard gives up a nose of meat, game, eucalyptus, and assorted blue and black fruits. Slight compact and firm on the palate, it is a solid but unexciting effort. Yalumba has devoted considerable effort to bringing out the best in Viognier.Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 359-0993

With its aromas of smoke and cracked pepper, this shows more Rhone-ish qualities than many of its Barossa brethren. It’s also less weighty than most, with an appealingly silky texture that fades just a little too quickly on the finish. Drink now–2015.——J.C.(3/1/2010)—— 89

Medium-bodied, with meaty, peppery notes on the nose, this Shiraz (90%)-Viognier (10%) has loads of raspberry, plum and blackberry fruit, and toasty oak notes that start at midpalate and just keep on going. Though it’s built (and priced) to last for a few years, it’s just as tempting to open it now. ——W.E.(5/1/2003)—— 89