Wine Spectator Insider

Vol. 2, No. 16, Aug. 9, 2006

The high quality of Australian Shiraz should be no secret to regular readers of the Wine
Spectator Insider, and this issue features yet another group of outstanding Shiraz from
Barossa, one of the Land Down Under's warmest growing regions and a hotbed for the heat-
loving Syrah grape from which these wines are made. They range from the classic (you'll find
four that scored 95 points or more on the Wine Spectator 100-point scale among the Hot
Wines, on page 4)

HOTWINES 

These are the most exciting discoveries from our editors' most recent tastings, published
exclusively in Wine Spectator Insider. They are high-scoring, low-production wines
from around the world that may be difficult to find, but are worth seeking out.

Hobbs
Shiraz Barossa Gregor 2003
97 points 
From a single vineyard in Barossa, this wine packs
an amazing amount of rich, ripe wild blackberry,
red plum, raspberry and blueberry flavor into a lithe
package that seduces with its suppleness and relative
refinement for the size of the wine. Has creamy cof-
fee and exotic spice notes flitting through the finish
as it rolls on and on without end. Former policeman
Greg Hobbs has quickly established his wines as
must-haves for serious Shiraz fanciers. Drink now
through 2020. From Australia.-H.S.
Hobbs
Shiraz Barossa 2003
96 points 
From the same tiny vineyard as Gregor, this has a
fresher, livelier style, and it's a stunner. It's not a
huge wine but a rich, ripe and savory mouthful of
smoky, peppery blueberry, plum and fresh cream fla-
vors that just keep lapping against the palate on the
ultralong, ultrapolished finish. Absolutely gorgeous
stuff, and it's built to last. Drink now through 2020.
From Australia.-H.S.