Sexy and flamboyant, the 2005 Shiraz/Grenache (72% and 28% respectively) was created by three winemakers – Ben Riggs, Reid Bosward, and Stephen Pannell. A fabulous value, it offers gorgeous notes of raspberries, licorice, garrigue, and sweet cherries. This elegant, medium-bodied wine exhibits loads of fruit, character, and personality. It should drink well for 5-6 years. Slipstream is essentially the negociant label (although it includes some estate fruit) from importer Ben Hammerschlag’s home estate in McLaren Vale. This young, 35-year-old, who has done so much for Australian wine, expects to release wines under an estate name (the name of which I do not yet know) beginning with the 2006 vintage. These releases include the Fastback Shiraz from his estate, a Sauvignon Blanc from Western Australia, and a Shiraz/Grenache that is a blend of fruit from his own estate and elsewhere.Importer: Ben Hammerschlag, Epicurean Wines, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 923-1376