(4) Wines made from Syrah/Shiraz

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

Even though the Nabers have adopted the Aussie spelling for their wine, the 2006 Shiraz is not quite as bold or over the top as the name might suggest. The 2006 from Flat Creek is a blend of 75% Shiraz and 25% Tempranillo, and the Tempranillo contributes aromas and flavors of plums and leather to the cherry notes brought by the Shiraz. The wine also displays toasted barrel aromas, such as mocha and coffee, on top of this medium-full bodied wine. ($22)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

I found this California blend of Syrah, Merlot, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon at the HEB grocery store tonight for $8. I was super-excited to find such a great wine for the money until my girlfriend reminded me that it normally costs around $14. Oh well. The Joe Blow 2005 Red has a bit of pepper (from the Syrah), blackberry, tobacco, and chocolate on the nose, and rich fruit (from the Zin) in the mouth. With a medium-full body, mild tannins, and a touch of acid, this is a versatile house wine. The Joe Blow 2005 California White wine is very nice as well. ($12-14)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: sleek
• Look for at: wine.com

This rosé from the south of France is one of my favorite wines of the summer. Sabine is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault that shows watermelon, raspberry, dried flowers, and a smooth dry finish. The 13.5% alcohol may show through if you are sensitive to that sort of thing. ($11.75)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

Like the 2006 Roogle Red (a delicious three-grape blend of Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon), the 2006 Roogle Shiraz was rated 90 points by Parker and only cost me $10. This wine is from South Eastern Australia, and like most Shiraz from the area, it is inky, concentrated, and powerful. Kept in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months, the Roogle Shiraz is medium-full bodied, with less tannins and acid than the Roogle Red. Aromas of blueberry, blackberry, and a touch of chocolate make this a great cocktail and contemplation wine. ($10)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

I picked this wine up today from the store because I saw it was rated 90 points by Mr. Robert Parker, and why would anyone pass up a 90-pt Parker $10 wine — whether you like his taste or not. And I have to say, I liked this wine very much. The South Eastern Australian 2006 Roogle Red is 50% Shiraz, 30% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is aged in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months. Roogle Red is medium-full bodied, with dark but not super-ripe fruit, and healthy tannins and acid. This wine is from R Wines (of Dan Philips and Chris Ringland), which includes labels such as 3 Rings, Roogle, Evil, and Bitch. Buy this wine if you see it, or maybe pick up a half-case. ($9-10)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

This is my favorite wine that I can get for $7 in multiple places around town. Made with 85% Castelao, 7.5% Tempranillo, and 7.5% Syrah, it is a great table and food wine with enough acid to pair with many types of dishes. Red fruit prevails in the nose and mouth. This wine is simple, but pleasant and drinkable, especially for the money. ($7-8)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: bold
• Look for at: wine.com

This cocktail and contemplation wine from the Colchagua Valley in Chile is a monster. In the glass, the wine is inky and extracted. The nose offers dried fruit, some spice, and coffee. The dark fruit, plums, and cherry are set in a sea of fine grained tannins. The long finish is just what you would expect from this concentrated wine, which does not easily pare well with food. The size of this wine will keep all but grilled steak or lamb chops at bay. If you like Aussie Shiraz, be sure to pick up this wine — you get all the extracted fruit and stick-to-your-teeth feel, but at a fraction of the normal price. ($13-18)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: sleek
• Look for at: wine.com

This village selection is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah (CGS) produced from 40 year old vines. Like many of the ’07 CGS blends, this one was a fine nose of peaches and strawberries. In the mouth, this rosé is not as elegant as some of the others, but it does provide nice red fruit with a round feel. ($18-22)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: sleek
• Look for at: wine.com

Triennes rosé is from the Var region in the South of France. The region is known for easy drinking rosé, and this blend of Cinsault, Syrah, and Merlot fits the bill. For the money, this is my favorite rosé so far this year. The wine has a refreshing nose of candied red fruit and a great mouth feel. Medium bodied with good acid, a long finish, and only 12.5% alcohol, this wine is great for a hot summer day. ($15-18)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: sleek
• Look for at: wine.com

The Commaderie is produced from grapes selected throughout Provence. Like its big brother, the Chateau de Peyrassol Rosé, the Commaderie is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. The ’07 is a very drinkable wine with a nose of peaches and strawberries. The wine is medium bodied and round in the mouth. This is another of the great rosé wines that are available this summer. ($19–21)