Last week was a wild ride for me, and it culminated in an exciting, although slightly anxiety-filled, day on Friday. For the last couple of months, I’ve been looking to make my next career move and things finally fell into place last week, although they did so at a whirlwind pace.

Last Tuesday, I had my second interview for a position that I’d been pursuing for several weeks. That second interview was followed two days later by a third interview on Thursday, and, happily, a job offer first thing Friday morning. I couldn’t have been happier. By Friday afternoon, the deal was final and I’d let my current bosses know that I will be leaving. Telling them was a bittersweet moment, as I am sad to leave many of the people in my current office, but know this exciting new challenge is definitely something I could let pass me by. Without a doubt, this certainly is a reason to celebrate. So, on my way home from work on Friday, I couldn’t resist the urge to stop at my local wine store, Grand Cru Wine Bar & Cafe, for something fun to drink with dinner. Traveling first class definitely is my idea of indulgence and celebration, so when I saw the fun label on the 2007 First Class Shiraz, I couldn’t resist the temptation to buy it.

The 2007 First Class Shiraz (snooth) was a deep, inky, ruby color. On the nose, there were blackberry, black cherry, dust, smoke, blackcurrant leaf, and chocolate aromas. In the mouth, there were smoke, dark chocolate, blackberry, and blueberry flavors. The wine had good tannins and a full body. It was a little hot, but when it was paired with food, that seemed to help tone it down a little.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $35, this wine delivers a beautiful, velvety smoothness that is perfect for sinking into on a Friday after work. In celebration of my new job, Hubby and I ordered Chinese, which may not be a typical pairing for a Shiraz, but it worked. In particular, I think the soy sauce that I added to both my crab rangoon and my chicken with broccoli helped create a nice flavor blend. However, this Shiraz is definitely not a wine to pair with something spicy, as the wine enhanced the heat in the spiciness to the point of setting my mouth on fire. That said, if you’re looking for a solid, Australian Shiraz, the 2007 First Class is one worth considering.

Overall: 3.5 Corks