The Syrah patch was planted in the mid 1940’s and yields a microscopic 250-300 dozen per annum. The Sandown Syrah patch is west facing and features significant ironstone content. The site yields a signature incense like spice throughout the fruit and makes for a highly exotic expression of Blewitt Springs Syrah. Cola, sarsaparilla, incense, blackcurrant, blueberry, black olive, Italian leather, Sandalwood and roasted meat are all on display with recessed power woven throughout this highly perfumed and multi-layered, seamless example.

Grant Nash is a name coined by an autocorrect of the word Grenache. A group of like-minded Grenache fans produce the wines, largely from McLaren Vale sites and they are very good. Ironically this blend with Shiraz and Mourvedre – puts Mourvedre into ascendancy. "... a mixed spice nose of clove, pepper and other brown spices, the palate full-bodied and deep with good tannin structure and a touch of firmness. The fruit does the talking but it's far from simplistic. The Mourvèdre shows through and it has ageing potential.” (Huon Hooke, The Real Review).

Bowen Estate Shiraz shared similar firm structure as it's sibling, the Cabernet Sauvignon. It's lifted aromas of ripe black fruits, warming spices and hint of earthy background makes it a welcoming drink with hearty food.

Every so often there are parcels of wine that generate tremendous excitement amongst the winemakers at Schild Estate. They set this aside to make Prämie, the wine that defines the best of the vintage and the land on which it was grown. Intense primary fresh plum flavours show again on the palate, where they hold their presence all the way through to roll out soft and pillowy at the finish. A firmly present, but fine tannin framework provides just enough focus and lift for the fruit to ensure added complexity, but retaining vibrancy to the mouth flavours of this Shiraz.

The Adams brothers and their vineyard are responsible for many of the iconic wines that take pride of place in many cellars. Parcels of their best fruit is kept aside for their own label, Brothers In Arms. Fantastic Langhorne Creek concentration is on show here with layers of chocolate and dark, black fruit. A brute with a touch of style.

In true McLaren Vale style, Serafino Magnitude Shiraz shows the rich fruit of the vintage, complex and integrated through maturation in French and American oak for 20 months.

The Shingleback D Block Reserve Shiraz is named for the Davey Block of the Davey Estate vineyard and is the personal expression of the McLaren Vale from the eyes of winemaker John Davey. True reserve wines, the D Block is only made in exceptional vintages just like this 2009. In the glass the wine has a colour that is impenetrable purple red. On the nose there are aromas of mulberry and blackberry that mingle with dusty cashew, milky chocolate (typical of McLaren Vale), spice and forest floor. There are tight, fine tannins to counter the bold, fresh fruit which results in an alluring and unmistakable wine that expresses the essence of the vine, the time and the place.