The 2006 Shiraz – Viognier (6%) is a crowd pleaser. Dark ruby-colored, aromatically the nose receives uplift from the Viognier component. Aromas of smoke, plum and blueberry are enticing and lead to a full-bodied wine with a smooth texture, ripe flavors with depth, and a long finish. This hedonistic effort can be enjoyed now but will blossom with another 1-2 years of bottle age. Both Black Chook wines are excellent values.Black Chook is a label created by importer Ben Hammerschlag and winemaker Ben Riggs. The familiar black rooster (affectionately known as Chook the Chicken) is gone from the label after a formal protest from Biale Winery in Napa Valley which produces a “Black Chicken” Zinfandel. Consequently, purchasers will now have to read the label.Importer: Ben Hammerschlag, Epicurean Wines, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 923-1376