Also recommended: 2003 Shiraz McLaren Vale, Padthaway, Beechworth (85). (Click Wine Group, Seattle, WA)
2006 Brokenwood Wines Cricket Pitch White South Eastern Australia
($16) Green-gold. Brisk citrus and pear aromas are clean and sharply focused. Offers flavors of zesty lemon and pink grapefruit on the palate, with a crisp spearmint quality carrying through the bright, lengthy finish. Very pretty blend, with excellent balance and clarity.
2004 Brokenwood Wines Cricket Pitch Red South Eastern Australia
($16) Dark red. Fresh redcurrant and cherry on the nose, with zesty pepper and baking spices adding complexity. Vibrant red and dark berry flavors are a tad bitter-edged, with light body and brisk acidity providing lift. This is very easy to drink.
2005 Brokenwood Wines Shiraz Wade Block 2 McLaren Vale
($46) Deep ruby. Dark berry, kirsch and candied plum on the nose, with bright floral and baking spice notes adding interest. Tightly wound on entry, with ripe red and dark berry flavors, smoky oak and succulent spices emerging with aeration. Tannins are present but the deep, sweet fruit consumes them for now. I suspect that this will shut down soon but there's ample concentration to cellar this with confidence.
2005 Brokenwood Wines Shiraz Rayner Vineyard McLaren Vale
($70) Bright purple. Smoky, vanilla-accented blueberry and cassis aromas develop candied licorice, dark chocolate and olive notes with air. Supple dark berry preserve flavors display an impressive melange of depth and energy, with sweet vanilla and vibrant violet pastille notes building on the back. Obviously sweet but admirably focused, finishing with very persistent flavors of juicy blackcurrant and cherry.
2005 Brokenwood Wines Shiraz Graveyard Vineyard Hunter Valley
($87) Ruby-red. Seductively aromatic nose offers spicy kirsch, cassis, mocha and oak spice scents. Deep and sweet, with powerful but focused cherry and dark berry flavors underscored by exotic Asian spices, dried flowers, cocoa and licorice. Sweet, spicy and expansive on the long, sappy finish. The balance here is quite impressive.
