Old vs New World Battle of the Shiraz: McClay Rd 2006, Beechworth ($35) v Saint Joseph 2006, Cotes du Rhone, France ($24)

McClay Rd 2005 had to one of my top wines of 2008. The 2006 delivered too with focussed ripe black fruits driving straight down the middle of the palate. Good finish. Lovely stuff. The thing it was dwarfed by the Saint Joseph. I simply didn't know syrah could be like this. It shimmered in delicate light tones that I have simply never ever tasted before in this grape. Silk. Tesco in the UK are now discounting this at AUD12 per bottle. It's distressing that this wine has single-handedly blown every shiraz I've ever had to bits. A privilege to drink.