Tasting Notes Aroma Dense, classic Shiraz characters of fresh blackberry, boysenberry and aniseed mesh seamlessly with dried spice and elegant French oak. Palate Concentrated and generous with dark fruits and black cherry, the old vines contribute complex spices, cinnamon and nutmeg. A full bodied, luscious and elegant wine that is perfectly balanced by fine grain tannins and lingering structural finish.

Mitolo Wines is a family owned business, borne of and led by the founder and owner Frank Mitolo's vision; to create a range of wines of individuality, integrity and utmost quality. The G.A.M. is deep purple, the nose is an intense combination of smoked herbs, liquorice and blackcurrants leading to a full bodied palate with notes of cassis and cracked pepper. Premium McLaren Vale at its best.

Noon Winery has become a cult figure in the wine world due to their opulent red wines that are known for their concentration and power. Not beholden to the trend of lower-alcohol, leaner styles, Drew and Raegan Noon produce block-buster reds that are in huge demand the world over. Their Reserve Shiraz is so highly thought of, it sits in the Outstanding category in Langton's Classification of Australian Wine. With fruit sourced from the '20 Rows' block in Langhorne Creek owned by the Borrett family, this is a Shiraz of serious weight and body. Still very young, aromas of violets, lavender and herbs are balanced with traditional fruit notes of blueberries and spice. Big and fleshy on the palate while still showing supreme complexity, this is a wine that needs some decanting before enjoying the saturating flavours that Noon can offer.

The pinnacle of Chapel Hill's best parcels of red come together to form The Vicar, a prestige full blooded McLaren Vale Shiraz of great distinction. Painstakingly chosen from selected single-vineyard McLaren Vale sites, The Vicar is overflowing with ripe mulberry and licquorice flavours interlinked with sublime oak influence from over 80% French oak influence.

Fleshier and more structured that its predecessor's vineyards, a violet/lavender centre to raspberries, sarsaparilla and creamy blueberry pie. Plush and opulent. Always smooth and creamy in its fruit expression the site really offers a unique balance of approachability and cellar-worthiness. The Blewitt Springs site has a brilliant aged profile that may be mistaken for aged grand-cru Burgundy when tasted blind.

Kay Brothers Amery Hillside Shiraz is big, rich and uncompromising in the traditional McLaren Vale style. Intense fruit a good measure of oak and beautifully balanced overall - a Shiraz to live for a decade or more.

In the glass the 2010 S has a black core with a deep red rim. There are elegant aromas of red black fruits, and spicy earthy notes with a hint of grilled meats, graphite and controlled oak. On the palate the fruit continues with rich plums, and blueberries and delicate spice and chocolate which all roll on to a juicy palate with fine tannins that go on ... and on. Smidge recommends drinking this wine betwen 2014 and 2030.

It is gloriously fruited and inviting on the nose showing blackberry, spiced plum, vanilla, smoked game and pepper spice aromas, followed by a concentrated palate that is powerfully graceful. The wine is expansive and mouthfilling with delectable flavours and polished tannins. Super tasty. At its best: now to 2027

McLaren Vale is well known for its ability to make full bodied red wines, in particular concentrated Shiraz, and this deluxe wine is a perfect example.Deep, dark red. Plum, cherry compote and cedar oak aromas. Ripe, dense and juicy with loads of dark berry, plum and rum and raisin chocolate, ripe velvety tannins and toasty coconut oak. A deluxe wine from the start to the long, seamless finish.