The 2007 Mourvedre (86%)-Grenache (9%)-Shiraz (5%) was aged in seasoned French and Hungarian hogsheads. Dark ruby-colored, it sports an alluring nose of damp earth, underbrush, coffee, spice box, and blueberry. Medium-bodied, elegant, and already complex on the palate, this lengthy effort would be an ideal complement to osso bucco or other braised meats. Yalumba has devoted considerable effort to bringing out the best in Viognier.Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 359-0993

Supple, ripe and expressive. A plush mouthful of currant, blackberry and plum fruit mingling with coffee, cream and floral accents. The tannins are almost not there, but the finish just sails on and on. Mourvèdre, Grenache and Shiraz. Drink now through 2015. 325 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa Select to Add

The 2006 Mourvedre (60%) – Grenache (22%) – Shiraz (18%) is purple-colored with aromas and flavors of spice box, forest floor, earth, blueberry, and blackberry. On the palate it is slightly compressed but tasty with a moderately long finish. Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; www.yalumba.com; Also tasted: 2005 Tempranillo-Grenache-Viognier “TGV” (88), 2005 Mourvedre-Grenache-Shiraz (89)