Another perennial Best Buy, the 2008 Piping Shrike Shiraz continues the tradition. Made at the excellent Charles Cimicky winery, it was aged for 14 months in a mix of French and American oak with 35% of the latter new. It offers up a fragrant nose of smoke, bacon, and blueberry leading to a supple, smooth-textured sweetly-fruited, easy-going wine that could use a bit more depth. Drink this crowd-pleaser over the next 4-5 years. 89 points Robert Parker Wine Advocate # 186 (Dec 2009). | 
