Picardy 2001 Shiraz is due for release in May (expected retail $28 to $32). A vivid purple wine with lifted floral soapy aromas and smoky (not charred) oak. The wine is made with as much Burgundian technique as possible - and it's a Shiraz! The wine has a refined structure which is provided by an almost lean fruit weight, velvety dusty tannins, and the deep persistent fruit provides power without weight. There is a lingering finish of cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant and chocolate flavours from this elegant wine with great structure and a developed refined complexity. It's rated as Highly Recommended with *** for value and the rating may increase as the wine matures after 2007+. – Feb 03