Shiraz Wine between $10 and $25

This is smooth, velvety and appealing for its juicy blackberry and cherry flavors, zinging through the lively, wet earth-tinged finish. Best from 2013 through 2018.

Matured 11 months in American oak, 60% new, the 2011 The Boxer Shiraz gives a deep garnet-purple color and aromas of creme de cassis, blackberry preserves and mocha plus an undercurrent of vanilla and cedar. The palate is very generously fruited, offering a whopping mouthful of spiced blackberry flavors with a low to medium level of silky tannins, enlivening acid and a long finish. Drink this one now to 2016+.

Fresh and lively, sporting dark berry and licorice flavors on an open-weave frame. Fine tannins mark the finish. Drink now through 2016.

Blended of 77% Shiraz, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, Tait’s 2010 The Ballbuster gives a very deep garnet purple color and pronounced notes of spiced blackberries, blueberry pie filling and stewed plums with hints of freshly cracked black pepper and fenugreek. Very full bodied and richly fruited, it has a good line of crisp acidity lending lift and a medium to firm level of velvety tannins, finishing long and peppery. Drink it now to 2016.

Dark ruby/purple, with notes of roasted coconut, graphite, damp earth, blackberry and cassis, this perfumed wine hits the palate with a thunderous richness from the glycerin and dense fruit. Quite sexy, stunning, with some structured tannin in the finish, this wine should drink well for another 5-7 years.

The 2011 Woodcutters Shiraz doesn't miss a beat in this difficult vintage. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is scented of cassis, black plums and macerated blackberries over nuances of charcoal, black pepper, smoked duck breast and violets. Full-bodied and packed with black berry and savory meat and mineral flavors, it is nicely poised in the mouth with a taut backbone of medium level rounded tannins and just enough acid, finishing with a good persistence of pepper and spice notes. Drink this one now to 2018+.