d'Arenberg Stump Jump Red 2006

VARIETAL: Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre
REGION: McClaren Vale, Australia
PRICE: $11
Leave it to the Aussies to come up with the crazy, catchy names. The Stump Jump may sound a little weird, but it comes from quite an esteemed winemaking family in Australia. d'Arenberg wines generally fall into our swanky category, but this red blend is the ultimate in value. I bet if you tasted this one blind, you'd probably give it a price tag in the $25-$30 range. And you might mistake it for a Rhone blend - which except for geography, it is. This 70% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 10% Mourvedre blend is the perfect Rhone knockoff. Beautiful deep ruby coloring is the one thing that sets this wine apart from its Rhone counterpart (which often has more bricky coloring). Otherwise you get the same earthy intensity balanced out with rich, dried fruits on the nose followed by a mouthful of ripe blueberry, black cherry and mulberry laced with clove and cardamom and just a hint of freshly chopped herbs. It is an impressive wine for the price - not fussy, but definitely interesting and lushly layered. This is a wine that is a staple in our house. Drink it with pleasure . . . and if you like, serve it with a mustard-crusted pork loin over roasted carrots and lentils.
Check it out: d'Arenberg Stump Jump 2006

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St. Hallet Faith Shiraz 2005

VARIETAL: Shiraz
REGION: Barossa Valley, Australia
PRICE: $16
Well, I admit this wine is a bit pricier than my typical mid-week selections. But it is still winter and the St. Hallet's gives me faith that spring will return again. Crafted from premium Barossa Valley fruit and nothing but, this shiraz looks like smashed berry ink in the glass. Warm spicy cherry and berry scents are just the prelude. Rich and dense, the St. Hallet's really lingers on your palate with smooth juicy cherry, ripe black raspberry interspersed with shots of spice and subtle black pepper from a 12-18 month stint in American and French oak. Sometimes Aussie shiraz can be a bit too jammy, like the fruit is overripe. Not so with the St. Hallet's. I love this wine - and have for about 8 years - because it is incredibly balanced, always impressive for the money and never ceases to make me feel warm and fuzzy all over. This wine is the perfect complement to just about any red meat and most hard cheeses. Or slurp it up with nothing at all.

Check it out: St. Hallet Faith Shiraz 2005

Annie's Lane Copper Trail Shiraz

Year: 2004
ABV: 14%
We Paid: $18
Website

I realize this is close to our price limit, and it's not even Swanky Friday, but there's a storm moving into Boston and this wine is great. Deep purple undertones and spicy fruit tastes make this the perfect wine to get snowed in with. Roasted meats, hearty soups, even a big sandwich would be a perfect pairing for this robust shiraz. Here's my plan: leave work at noon, pick up another two bottles of Copper Trail Shiraz, head home and get snowed in with my wife. She makes the world's greatest soups. Period. I'm gonna don the union suit, get a fire going, grab a glass of Copper, a bowl of soup and an armful of the afore mentioned wife. All of which will keep me very warm and very happy throughout the snowy weekend.

Annie's Lane 2001 Copper Trail Shiraz - Syrah/Shiraz Red Wine

Delicato Shiraz 2004

Year: 2004
We Paid: $17 (3 liter box . . . almost 4 bottles!)
ABV: 13%
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Do we even need to mention that this Shiraz came in a box? What’s the big deal? We’ve covered the wine-box debate before and little has changed. The CFW crew is interested in how the wine tastes, not the packaging. Although four bottles in one box is a great value. The FlexTap pushbutton-style spout is very cool too . . . and a little sexy. This little nipple device is easy to work, even with one hand when you’re trying to get those last few drops.

Delicato puts the same wine in its boxes as its bottles, and their wines have earned accolades both in the U.S. and at international competitions. Notably, Delicato’s entry was named “Best Shiraz of California” awards at the 2001, 2002 and 2003 California State Fair Wine Competitions.

The 2004 Delicato Shiraz lives up to its heritage. A powerful scent of spicy cherries practically bursts from the wine as you pour it. The flavor is a bit more subtle, tasting of blackberry and cherry. Overall, the flavor is balanced and quite smooth. The finish lingers with a fruity spiciness. The start and finish of this wine are so wonderful that they overshadow its pleasant flavor.

It’s little surprise that Delicato’s Shiraz is the best selling brand of that variety in the United States. If they can keep up with demand while maintaining quality, they are likely to hold onto that distinction in the coming years.