There are never enough Marquis Philips wines to go around.

We received a hundred assorted cases in August . . . Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet, Sarah's Blend and Shiraz 9. They sold out in a week.

The "Marquis" part of the name is for Australian husband and wife winemakers Sarah and Sparky Marquis (pronounced Markwis) . . . and Dan "Philips" whose American Grateful Palate import company specializes in many things Australian.

Sarah and Sparky have been making Henry's Drive Cabernet since 1998 and it's better every year. Robert Parker reviewed every wine from the very first vintage. He put the '98 on the map calling it "undeniably s.e.x.y." He noted that the '99 was made in a more European style, with 80% French oak. The 2000 he called "s.e.x.y, succulent, and hedonistic." The '01 Reserve "seamless, opulent . . . destined to be drunk young."

Not a single Henry's Drive Cabernet has ever been rated less than 90 points.

He suddenly seems to have lost interest in them. Don't ask me why . . . I haven't a clue. As far as I am concerned the wines have been remarkably consistent. The 2002 shows as much rich, concentrated, dark fruit as ever before. It's velvety on the palate and will obviously age for quite some time. We opened a bottle on Saturday. It flowed out by the case.

Maybe it's the pricing that has turned Parker off. Over the first five vintages Henry Drive prices have run from $28. to $45. a bottle . . . with no consistent pattern . . . up one year . . . down the next . . . up again the following . . . wild fluctuations that don't make much sense. Our last price for this same 2002 vintage was $42.99.

Suddenly . . . it's down to $25.00. I was flabergasted. I almost passed on it because I was sure the price was misquoted.

But it wasn't.

Please act fast . . . they may not last the day.

2002 HENRY'S DRIVE PADTHAWAY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Last Previous Regular Price 42.99
EMAIL PRICE $24.99 . . . only 30 cases . . . while they last.