You say tomato, I say shiraz

In California, it's Syrah, but in the Barossa Valley, it's "shiraz" (said with best Crocodile Dundee impersonation), and it's never "sirah" anywhere. Confused yet? No?
Once upon a time there was a pretty, feminine grape named Mondeuse. She was an odd sort, and didn't have many friends until one day she met another obscure French grape. His name was Dureza. He was big and tough, and the two immediately fell in love and produced an offspring, Syrah. Syrah featured qualities of both it's parents -- big and full bodied, yet elegant and refined. Syrah travelled to other countries, where he received many other names -- Syrac, Serine, Shiraz, Hignin Noir, to name a few. Syrah hitched a free ride to Australia in the form of vine clippings in the early 1800's, and really thrived in a place called Barossa Valley.

Mollydooker Shiraz "The Boxer" ($$) has been receiving a lot of press lately, including a 95 point rating from Robert Parker. It retails for around 20 bucks here in CT, but I find that spending another couple of dollars for Mara Laughing Jack Shiraz ($$) can be a better purchase. If it's cheap-but-great that you're going for, pick up Peter Lehmann's Barossa Valley Shiraz ($).

The Mollydooker Shiraz "The Boxer" ($$) is worthy of all the attention it has been getting, as it is an intense "fruit bomb", capable of running with the big dogs of Aussie shiraz (would they be "big dingoes"???). It was, in my opinion, a little too "hot" with an almost artificial alcohol taste. That's not to say it wasn't good -- it just wasn't a 95 in my book. 89-90? Sure. 95? Nope. Check out Blog Cellar, they liked it.

The Mara Laughing Jack Shiraz ($$) is more of the well balanced Aussie "fruit bomb" I expect. Blackberry and plum dominate the nose as well as the palate. Black pepper rounds everything out. The finish involves notes of menthol, which has been an interesting new sensation in recent vintages of Aussie reds (see the Nine Mile Cab review). This wine is a MUST BUY, although it will probably be a never-find.

Easier to find, cheaper to buy, and still pretty damn good shiraz is Peter Lehmann's Barossa Valley Shiraz ($). Blackberry and raspberry give way to coconut and french vanilla ice cream with a peppery finish. The wine has a beautiful deep, deep red color with a black center. This wine is also a MUST BUY, and seems to be readily available in New Haven county.
For those of you with deeper pockets, check out Peter Lehmann's Eight Songs Shiraz ($$$) for a really great example of what Barossa has to offer.