These came as a pair, probably due to the success of the 2013 with silver medals at San Francisco International  wine comp and AWC Vienna wine comp.

Calabria Wines, Cool Climate Series Shiraz, Hilltops 2013

Black cherry , blueberry and brambles, burnt toffee oak sweetness, a touch of meaty savoury stink. Hints of drying ferrous blood too. Dark and a little unhinged. Travis bickle before the head shaving. Well balanced with the right amount of sandy tannins. The dark plum and black cherry fruit right on the money without being sickly or fat. A touch of spicy oak gives a “Mexican hot chocolate” finish. Neat little wine for the money.

RRP:  $15

Alc: 13.5%

Calabria Wines, Cool Climate Series Shiraz, Hilltops, 2014

A big step up with the alcohol, and it’s noticeable on the nose.  decadent oak and ripe plums, morello cherry, white pepper, whipped double cream, graphite. The alcohol makes this slippery up front, with bittersweet liqueur cherry, chocolaty oak. Tannins are truly sandy, getting into nooks and crannies. Disjointed, rough and ready and not as good as the 2013.

RRP:  $15

Alc: 14.5%

Wine samples courtesy of Calabria Family Wines