A great value in full-throttle red wine from Barossa is Tait's 2005 The Ball Buster. This cuvee is becoming an incredibly popular choice for addicts of what are pejoratively called "fruit bombs." However, there is a lot more to this wine than just fruit, and that sim- plistic term is the vinous equivalent of phony baloney. This blend of 80% Shiraz, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot was aged in old American and French oak for 12 months. It offers a dense purple color in addition to a big, rich perfume of blackberries, plums, chocolate syrup, and subtle wood in the background. Powerful and rich with loads of glycerin as well as hefty alcohol (15.8%), it is a classic example of an opulent, full-throttle Barossa red to consume over the next 4-5 years

The blockbuster 2004 Shiraz Basket Pressed boasts an inky/blue/purple hue followed by a bouquet of graphite, blackberry liqueur, cassis, incense, chocolate, and espresso. Revealing abundant glycerin, lofty alcohol (16.2%), and a thick, rich, full style, this big Shiraz should drink well for 5-10 years

While restrained, the full-bodied 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Basket Pressed (100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 10% new French and 90% used American oak) reveals scents of espresso roast, chocolate, black currants, cedar, and toasty vanillin. This powerful, rich, dense Cabernet is ideal for drinking during its first 7-8 years of life

As it has been in previous vintages, the value priced 2004 Ball Buster Proprietary Red is a classic Barossa Valley effort in terms of bigness, boldness, and a dramatic display of fruit and intensity. If you want something delicate, restrained, and understated, steer clear of this locomotive that crashes over the palate with a flamboyant display of blackberry and cassis fruit, licorice, tar, and spicy oak. Explosively rich with formidable intensity, this blend of 70% Shiraz, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Merlot is an amazing wine for the price. Readers should be forewarned that it possesses 15.6% alcohol, but carries it well

An even bigger effort, the 2003 Shiraz is a more ageworthy prospect. This big, rich, classic Barossa Shiraz reveals notes of blackberries, cassis, toasty new oak (new and used American wood is utilized) along with huge depth, a chewy, viscous texture, and loads of fruit, glycerin, and power. It should age nicely for a dozen years or more

Also outstanding is the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Basket Pressed, produced from a 60-year-old vineyard (one of the oldest Cabernet vineyards in the Barossa). Aged 12 months in a combination of new and used American oak, it is a big Aussie-styled Cabernet boasting oodles of creme de cassis fruit intermixed with toasty new oak, licorice, and spice box characteristics

The 2002 Basket Pressed Shiraz (from 40-year-old vines, and aged in neutral American wood for 12 months) elicits more than a few -wows". This full-bodied, unctuously-textured, full-throttle, classic Barossa is magnificently concentrated as well as pure, multi-dimensional, and loaded. It can be drunk now, but promises to age for 10-15 years.

An extraordinary value, the 2003 The Ball Buster (a blend of 60% Shiraz, and equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, all aged in neutral French and American oak barrels for 12 months) is an exuberant, sexy, delicious red. Some tasters will undoubtedly complain that it -lacks terroir," or there is -too much flavor," but this is the type of red that encourages people to drink wine. Forget such elitist gibberish, this wine is just delicious! Sweet blackberry and currant, licorice, smoke, and bacon-like flavors are top-class, a gorgeous texture, tremendous purity, and a long, heady finish are found in this amazing $17 wine.

Importers Ken Onish and John Gorman told me that proprietor Bruno Tait likes his wines pitch black and packed with stuffing" which is somewhat of an understatement. His deep ruby/purple colored 2002 The Ball Buster (a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) reveals a knock-out nose of creosol, tar; blackberries and cassis. This thick juicy, in your face red is not for those who enjoy European restraint and delicacy. However, readers looking for hedonistic, full throttle thrill a sip beverage will enjoy this awesome wine. Drink it over the next 4-5 years/

Also, outstanding the deep, chewy, impressive 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon plays it closer to the vest, but it is an extracted, rich, concentrated Cabernet revealing a thick ruby/purple color as well as plenty of cassis fruit intermixed with oak and spice box notes.

The blockbuster 2001 Shiraz, should have been named the "Super Ball Buster” Classic Barossa Shiraz, it boasts a dense purple color in addition to a huge nose of melted tar intermixed with pepper, blackberry liqueur and a ninth of wood, Full bodied with loads of glycerin and a mother of a finish it should drink well for 10-12 years , possibly longer.”

Silver medal - 1997 Barossa Valley Bush Vine Grenache

Silver medal - 1996 Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Silver medal - 1996 Barossa Valley Shiraz