1998 TALTARNI SHIRAZ

Taltarni Vineyards’ Australian Shiraz is a fine example of a big wine that shows charm as well as depth.

The color is deep, the aroma is full of berries, black pepper and a hint of coffee. The flavor of ripe plums adds a mouth-filling counterpoint to the berries. It’s a young wine, still, with plenty of tannin to prick the cheeks, but not too much to prevent enjoying it with grilled or roast meat such as duck with a fruit sauce, short or spare ribs, charcoal- or wood-grilled steak.

It would go well with strong cheese as well, Reblochon perhaps, or a nugget of Parmesan. The price for this Australian beauty is $15.