The 2007 MP Shiraz 9 was aged for 18 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak barriques and hogsheads. Opaque purple-colored, it delivers an excellent nose of cigar box, spice notes, mineral, blueberry, and blackberry. Full-bodied and firm on the palate, it has excellent depth, enough structure to evolve for several years, and good integration of oak, tannin, and acidity. Drink it from 2010 to 2020.

Fleshy and appealing for its coffee-accented cherry and tobacco flavors, hinting at bacon as the finish lingers against polished tannins. Drink now through 2017. 1,500 cases made. –HS - 91 points