The plushness and generosity of the grenache fruit is brilliantly displayed across the palate, but it is also brilliantly offset by plating tannins and an in-and-out running acidity. All of these qualities crash balletically together at the end of the palate, as if a well-practised circus troupe: cherried fruits, puckering tannins, and piquant acidity

Re-tasted on 07/06/2022 Magnificent colour displaying a pitch black core with a very deep black dark red hue. Pronounced black cherry, liquorice and black plum aromas are overlaid by scorched earth and smoked meats followed by spicy vanillin cedar and pepper notes. Tightly built rich black cherry and liquorice flavours dominate over inky earth, lightly scorched vanillin cedar, dried meats and blackpepper. Dry grippy finish with tightly grained tannins. Rich yet elegant and muscular in its feel. Good underlying power with a long black cherry, liquorice, smoky vanillin cedar, dried meats and earthy pepper aftertaste. Cellar 8-10 years. Alc. 14.5%

The Nugan family history spans three generations and more than 80 years, displaying determination and passion. This benchmark McLaren Vale Shiraz is a tribute to the drive and vision of the Matriarch of the Nugan Family, Michelle Carruthers Nugan.

Wonderfully composed and sweetly fragrant, the wine shows mixed berry compote, Black Doris plum, cocoa and toasted nut characters on the nose with subtle spicy complexity. The palate is succulent and plush, offering excellent weight and fleshy mouthfeel, leading to an impressively long silky finish. Harmonious and immensely appealing. At its best: now to 2026.

In 1912, horse fanatic Joseph Osborn sold his stables and horses and bought the family the d'Arenberg estate in premium McLaren Vale. Joseph chose McLaren Vale as it has some of Australia's oldest vineyards, and with an array of soils and the cooling affect of the nearby ocean, it's ideal for vines. Winemaker today is sixth generation Chester Osborn. He continues the family tradition of treading the grapes by foot part way through fermentation. It certainly ensures plenty of dark colour, character and richness in the wines. You'll always spot a d'Arenberg wine with its bold red stripe on the label.

Ernest Allan Rivers was a market gardener and vigneron, he was also the grandfather of Melissa Brown, Gemtree proprietor and biodynamic viticulturist. Ernest Allan Shiraz is a wine that celebrates and validates the relationship between the earth and the vine.

YANGARRA ESTATE VINEYARD Ovitelli Grenache, McLaren Vale

The signature Thistledown lifted aromatics are present but the palate offers more sinew and spice than those from McLaren Vale. Textural, almost chewy but polished dark cherry, mineral and warm spices carry through to a finish of incredible length.

A layered and floral nose of fresh lavender, flowering thyme and sage, along with bright red berry and dark cherry fruits. The palate is layered and complex whilst maintaining elegance. It has a mineral rich, structural palate with characters of wet slate, savoury cherry fruit, hints of warm spice and bright pomegranate like acidity. It is layered and has a fine and lingering finish.