Dowie Doole Merlot
Your quest for the best sub-$20 Merlot is over. One of McLaren Vale's most explosive producers of the past 10-15 years is offered here on an silver platter. Everything you love about Merlot in one bottle; luscious black fruits with soft cuddly tannins and hints of spiced coffee.
Bremerton Selkirk Shiraz
The Selkirk is an excellent Shiraz from Bremerton and has a rich spicy flavour with a hint of pepper and a long, lingering finish - classic Langhorne Creek in style in a very well made package that can be both a drink now style or cellar nicely for the medium term.
Bleasdale Bremerview Shiraz
The warm soft reds of the historic Bleasdale winery epitomise the popular Langhorne Creek style. This Shiraz has generous berry flavours with a touch of mint, spice and earth.
Bleasdale Second Innings Malbec
Malbec is renowned for its value in blends but not often found as a varietal. This fine example from Bleasdale is considered a benchmark for the style. Soft, smooth, toasty oak with great depth of complexity.
Oliver's Taranga Vineyards Grenache
Olivers Taranga have access to some rare old vine Grenache fruit from their Taranga vineyards and they make the most of them with this quite brilliant McLaren Vale Grenache. The perfect balance between the lively, fresh and fruit driven aspect of the variety and an earthy savoury backbone that completes this wine perfectly. Always made in small batches to increase the quality and concentration, don't miss out on this stand-out Grenache from a region that specialises in it.
Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Mourvèdre
While normally associated with Grenache and Shiraz blends, Mourvèdre recently has begun to stand on its own two feet as a stand-alone wine. Quite evocative in nature, Chapel Hill's Mourvèdre is a dark and brooding red with wonderful hints of spice and violet tones. Walking the line between medium and full-bodied, this wouldn't be out of place next to either a thick cut steak or a plate of picked Mediterranean vegetables.
Robert Oatley Signature Series Shiraz
Utilising the winemaking talents of Larry Cherubino and over 40 years of winemaking experience himself, Robert Oatley lends his name to this McLaren Vale Shiraz that has all the hallmarks of an exceptional regional example. Matured for 10 months in French oak and sourced from fruit from around the sub-region of Blewitt Springs, this Shiraz is opulent, fleshy and textured with flavours of blueberries and spice with a lingering, soft finish.
Capital Wines The Back Bencher Merlot
The 2008 release of this took out the prestigious tri-nations award. The 2009 from a stronger vintage looks even better. A classicist?s Merlot; plum and cassis supported by fine tannin.
Bremerton Tamblyn Cabernet Shiraz Merlot Malbec
Bremerton Tamblyn is a blend of four premium red varieties all grown in Langhorne Creek that have been blended to create a generous well balanced wine showing lifted violet and red cherry aromas with mouth filling fruit and soft tannins. For the price, easily one of the best Cabernet blends available.
Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Shiraz Merlot
Church Block first appeared back in 1972 under the watchful eye of Greg Trott and was taken by one of the original vineyards that ran alongside the small Bethany Church, across the road from Wirra Wirra's old ironstone cellars. Over the last 4 decades, it has become one of Australia's favourites. The 2005 Church Block is showing just what a little patience can do. After six years, the velvet texture is the dominant feature with integrated tannin taking a backseat.