SHIRAZ
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The Shiraz grape has become a true world grape.  It grows well in areas throughout the world and is capable of rendering rich, complex and distinctive wines with pronounced pepper, spice, black cherry, tar, leather and roasted nut flavors.  In recent years it has found a significant gain in popularity with strong vintages from Australia.

327 Houghton Shiraz, Western Australia, 2004 This wine has a baouquet with spice and warm chocolate notes.  The palate is round and soft and suggests subtle tannins with flavors of mocha, red berry, cinnamon and white pepper. $42.00 331 Bridlewood Estates Syrah, Central Coast, 2004 This Syrah from an artisan winery in Santa Ynez, California opens with aromas of licorice and herbal spice and features berry and fig flavors and soft tannins on the palate.  A perfect companion to meals that match it in spice and substance. $32.00 332 Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Shiraz, South Eastern Australia, 2005 A delicious aroma of warm, spicy licorice and brambly berry fruit, interwoven with savoury American oak. The palate is richly textured with well defined, ripe blackberry fruit flavours, soft generous tannins on the mid-palate and a long, rich finish. $31.00