Paringa Shiraz 2002

Not to be confused with Paringa Estate, which I've never had, the Paringa 2002 Shiraz ($8.99 Cost Plus) from Australia's Hickinbotham family, is a nice rounded syrah (as we here "Up Over") call them. The wine has some great fruit smell and taste, which will stand up to both heavy meat and spicy dishes alike. If you like Syrah, this is an outstanding value.

But I'm not the only one to say this. Wine Spectator gave this wine 87 points which is fantastic for a wine in this range. You will also find other wine reviewers giving the Paringa lable high marks. WineExpressions.com has this to say about it, "The Paringa Shiraz contains plenty of blackberry fruit flavor; you can also pick up boysenberry and black pepper spice on the finish. Serve with steaks or beef roasts. Try a Raspberry-Marinated Flank Steak for something a bit different."

You'll need to move fast, because the '03 vintage is also out. I prefer extra age to youth. But push come to shove I'd take either vintage.