The 2006 Eden Valley Shiraz offers the elegance and complexity that the Barossa cuvee lacks. Racy, ripe, and spicy, this lengthy effort will evolve for 3-5 years and provide pleasure from 2012 to 2022. It must be said that although this is a very fine effort, there is nothing here to justify the lofty price tagThe owner/winemaker of Gibson Wines is Rob Gibson who left Penfolds to start his own winery.Importer: The Country Vintner; www.countryvintner.com.au

The 2006 Barossa Shiraz was sourced from three Barossa plots planted in the 1850s. It was aged for 24 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak. Opaque purple-colored, it has an alluring bouquet of wood smoke, grilled meat, mineral, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a full-bodied, layered wine with plenty of savory fruit, good depth, and enough structure to evolve for 5-7 year but lacks the power and complexity of the great 2005. It must be said that although this is a very fine effort, there is nothing here to justify the lofty price tag The owner/winemaker of Gibson Wines is Rob Gibson who left Penfolds to start his own winery.Importer: The Country Vintner; www.countryvintner.com.au

A brooding, fascinating glass of wine, lithe and supple from beginning to end, with a gravelly character that adds interest to the ripe blackberry and cherry fruit, nicely shaded with hints of pepper and bacon. Drink now through 2017. 150 cases made, 25 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Barossa / Barossa Valley Select to Add

The 2005 Shiraz Barossa Valley “Old Vine Collection” was aged for 20 months in new French oak. It is purple/black with a big, brooding nose of smoky oak, bacon, grilled meat, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Tightly wound on the palate but oozing with spicy blue and black fruits, the wine is balanced, structured and very long in the finish. It requires 6-8 years in the cellar and will drink well through 2035.The owner/winemaker of Gibson Wines is Rob Gibson who left Penfolds to start his own winery.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (805) 278-9095

The 2005 Shiraz Eden Valley “Old Vine Collection” comes from a 50-year-old vineyard with small yields. It was aged for 20 months in new French oak hogsheads. Opaque purple-colored, it has an enticing perfume of wood smoke, spice box, leather, pepper, bacon, plum, and blueberry. This leads to a full-bodied, supple-textured, ripe wine with layered, spicy blue and black fruit flavors, excellent balance, and a long finish. Give it 3-5 years in the cellar and drink it through 2025. The owner/winemaker of Gibson Wines is Rob Gibson who left Penfolds to start his own winery.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (805) 278-9095