2006 Koltz The Wizard Shiraz, 12-bottle Lot

Koltz is in Australia’s McLaren Vale. It was started in the early 1990s by Mark Day and Anna Koltunow, and the first commercial release was the 1995 vintage. The estate grows and bottles mostly Shiraz, but it also produces Sangiovese blends and an Amarone-style red. Though the estate produces limited quantities of wines, it has made a name for itself. Robert M. Parker Jr. awarded its 2005 Pagan Shiraz 97 pts.

South Australia is the nation’s most important wine region. South Australia is to Australia what California is to the U.S. About half of Australia’s wine comes from South Australia and many of the country’s most acclaimed producers are there. Wineries based in South Australia include Penfolds Grange, Torbreck, Amon Ra, Henschke and Jacob’s Creek. The prestigious Barossa Valley is located in South Australia, and is often compared to Napa Valley because it is gorgeous topography covered in grape vines. First farmed by 19th century German-speakers who immigrated from what is now Poland, the Barossa Valley is the crown jewel of the region. South Australia has widely varying climates, from very hot, dry areas to cooler, high altitude areas. There are more than 150,000 acres of vineyards in South Australia, with more being planted each month. Shiraz is king, though the region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Semillon.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.