The 2006 St. Jakobi Shiraz was sourced from an estate vineyard planted in 1975 and aged for 20 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak hogsheads. Deep purple in color, it exhibits an expressive nose of smoke, bacon, violets, mineral, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Ripe, sweet, and concentrated on the palate, it conceals enough silky tannin under a blanket of savory fruit to evolve for 3-5 years. Drink this lengthy effort from 2012 through 2022. It seems to be a symptom of the times for Australian wines in particular and the USA market in general that a quality producer such as Wayne Dutschke is struggling to get his wines on American shelves. Importer: Bluestone Wine Solutions, Carlsbad, CA; www.dutschkewines.com

Ripe and generous, beautifully proportioned to display its currant, blackberry and coffee flavors on a refined frame, persisting easily on the long and supple finish. Better than previously reviewed. Drink now through 2016. 1,850 cases made, 128 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add

The Dutschke style favors plenty of richness and ripeness, and the 2006 St. Jakobi wears it extremely well. Aromas of chocolate, cinnamon and plum pudding accurately presage the flavors, and the wine is correspondingly full and lush. Don’t look for a crispness and focus; this wine floods the palate with ripe fruit and gentle baking spices. Drink now–2016.——J.C.(3/1/2010)—— 93