I've tried a variety of Australian reds by now and I've come to an interesting conclusion.  In general they're quite good, I can't remember one I didn't like or that I thought was weak, but I'm seeing more and more why critics say they all seem alike.  Pillar Box Red was quite good and great value.  Layer Cake took it up a knotch, yet they both clearly have that Australian shiraz feel.  Now consider my two latest trials...

[yellow tail] The Reserve 2005 Shiraz - Surprisingly a lot like Layer Cake which costs twice as much.  They really packed a lot of flavor in this inexpensive mass marketed wine.  Yet there are hints of foxiness in my opinion and clearly it's not at the same caliper as Layer Cake.  I'd say though anyone who likes really bold wine but can't afford much for the habit could find happiness in the yellow tail line.  So yeah, I like it, but it's not much different from the other Australian shirazes, and I can tell now it's a cheap wine, not a superior wine.

Penfolds Bin 128 Coonwarra Shiraz 2003 - Still has that Australian shiraz flavor, and not much different from the others I listed.  Yet, this brand is quite famous and I can honestly say I think this one is more balanced and in the classic European wine tradition than any of the other Australian wines I've tried.  It's the only one of the Australian wines I felt I could give to Nancy's parents with the hope they'd like it (after we learned in the past they thought Layer Cake was too over the top).

Finally, let's step away from Australia.

Vinicola Cave de Amadeu, Tannat, 2001 (Brazil, Appellation Bento Goncalves - RS) - This was recommended at Best Cellars as an easy drinking yet bold wine and I agree.  Not that it's my favorite, but I've enjoyed the smooth fruity sips followed by an almost dark beer bitters after-taste.  In fact I think I can feel the tannins at work in my system, which is good because that's why I started drinking red wine.  And isn't it interesting that tannat isn't just in the Uruguay region I sampled much earlier but that it's spreading to surrounding countries like Brazil.  Good for them.  It's a unique and underutilized varietal worldwide and I think they're doing good things with it.  I do want to note that just like the Uruguay tannat I reviewed the intensity in this bottle is getting stronger as I approach the bottom.