Heartland Stickleback 2007

Lithe and focused, with crisp tannins and lively acidity to balance the ripe blackberry and black olive flavors, lingering on the open-textured finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Granache. Drink now through 2012.

Bright and jazzy, with a peppery note adding a nice accent to the cherry, cranberry and spice flavors, lingering on the polished finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Dolcetto and Grenache. Drink now through 2011.

Ruby-red. Spicy red- and black currant aromas are complemented by baking spices, minerals and dried herbs. Tangy and fresh, offering spicy red berry and bitter cherry flavors and building sweetness. Finishes with good lift and snap and a lingering licorice quality. Offers a lot of complexity and freshness for the money. These wines are made by Ben Glaetzer, who also oversees his family's wines as well as those of Mitolo.

This Australian blend presents an interesting mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Grenache that exhibits the best characteristics of each grape. At 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has a hearty fullness that finds a nice complement in the smoothness of the Grenache, and is neatly rounded out by the spicy Shiraz. A deep midnight purple in color, its full body is balanced well by traces of oak and spice. Overall, a great find and a great value.

Bright ruby. Lively dark berry and cherry aromas complicated by clove and chocolate. Supple and ripe on entry, then more tangy in the middle, showing fresh, spicy red fruits and silky tannins. Refreshingly brisk and focused on the finish, with the spicy note echoing.

The 2008 Stickleback Red, a blend of 61% Shiraz, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Dolcetto and Lagrein (a grape native to Alto Adige) that was aged for 12 months in seasoned French and American oak. Purple-colored, it displays an alluring perfume of cedar, tobacco, earth notes, black currant, and blueberry. Layered on the palate with some complex flavors, this attractive blend over-delivers for its humble price. Drink it over the next 5 years.

Inky ruby color. Brooding aromas of cherry skin, dark chocolate, licorice and black cardamon. Chewy, deeply pitched dark berry flavors are firmed by dusty tannins and pick up an espresso note with air. Much more serious than most wines at this price point, with firm finishing grip and an echo of cracked pepper.