2003 Henry's Drive "Reserve Shiraz" Padthaway Australia ***

Henry's Drive is making some spectacular wines.  I first tried their "Pillbox Red" last year in a blind tasting of ten Spanish and Australian wines and chose it as my favorite wine of the night - it was also the second cheapest.

The other day, I opened a 2003 "Reserve Shiraz" from Padthaway, in the southeast corner of South Australia.  The Reserve Shiraz was a dark garnet color, with chili spice on the nose.  After an hour, it tasted of equal parts mint, menthol, dark cocoa, oak-vanilla, and mild spice.  This wine is exceptional, and even though it will run you more than $45, offers a relative value compared to the prices being paid for Old World wines right now.  It also deserves a spot in the cellar.

And if you care about such things -- Robert Parker scored this 95 points; Wine Spectator, 91.  Both called this wine an exceptional value.