This is a full-bodied wine with an integrated palate structure, firm ripe tannins, and a lingering finish. The aroma is bright with a mix of raspberry, black currant, blueberry, and a floral note underscored by tobacco and oak. The flavors are subdued but complex with ripe cherry, blackberry, and blueberry followed by and a spicy hint of pepper.

Yummy wines that would easily go into the 2-3 bottle range for a leisurely dinner or cocktail party

Deep, dark red. Raspberry, strawberry and smoked meat scents with a hint of black walnut; reminiscent of some of the new-wave Spanish wines. Inky and concentrated on the palate, and quite sweet, with dark cherry, plum and bitter chocolate flavors, along with a note of roasted coffee. Finishes fat and rich, with fairly soft tannins.

The Barossa vines range gives some very good, less expensive alternatives from the very premium wine maker Grant Burge. Developed in colour it has a mix of herbal savoury/earthy/minty aromas and flavours, with sweet vanilla oak.

The Escudo Rojo is a wine from Chile from Baron Philippe de Rothschild. This red shows all the power of the fine 2003 vintage as well as being the first vintage to reap the benefits of their new plantings in the Maipo Valley. Made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmnere, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc, the Escudo Rojo has plenty of ripe "new world" fruit tempered with "old world" style and elegance.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet France, this Chilean wine comes from a famous pedigree - the house of Lafite Rothschild. The nose is full of smoke, spice, meat and black fruit. On the palate, the same smoky meaty flavors come through, with plush tannins and a medium finish. Easy drinking and distinctly Chile." - Winemaker Notes

The wine displays ample ripe, bright cherry, accented by some nice spice and a hint of rose petals. It has a lovely, silky texture and a long finish. Though it’s more expensive than the Pinnacles Pinot Noir, this vineyard-designate wine, at $25, is still fairly priced, especially considering the high quality.

The 2004 Emigre, a Rhone-based blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvedre as well as Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, exhibits a sweet perfume of graphite, black fruits, sweet cherries, licorice, smoke, and background vanillin. Full-bodied, rich, textured, and impressively long.

A blend of 9 white grapes. Soft and aromatic with pear and apple notes. Light and easy drinking.

Light gold in color, suggesting oak aging. Fascinating nose: flowery, strong ripe banana and almond scent, with some cheery orange peel as it warmed up. The taste was almost exactly like lemon juice from concentrate: sharp and acidic, to the point of bitterness. A strong nutty flavor. Light- to medium-bodied, belying the oak aging I thought it might have by looking at the color.