No two words go together as well as Canberra and Shiraz in the wine world. The favourable terroir and hands on winemaking make Lerida Estate's Shiraz a must have. Brambly spice aromas are complimented by a palate that is long and refined with flavours of berried and touch of pepper. With age, the wine will become progressively richer, revealing warmer, more complex flavours, riper berries and a little liquorice.

This classic Yarra Valley Shiraz from Yeringberg is showing those trademark Shiraz characters of cracked black pepper and great fruit weight, there is also some good concentration and a long powdery tannin finish.

De Iuliis (De - uli - iss) wines are known for their trademark regionality and commitment to showcasing the very best the Hunter Valley has to offer. Their Shiraz is a fine balance between power and subtlety. Spice driven aromas with mild hints of the berry fruit to come on the palate. Blackberry, raspberry and dark cherry come to the fore and are in harmony with the round, soft tannins.

Z Wine's Rustica Shiraz is an intense crimson red with purple hues followed by aromas of ripe cherry and red plum which are complimented by hints of pepper and spice with lifted perfumed notes. The palate is warm and full flavoured, displaying generous sweet red fruit, such as cherry, raspberry and plum. These fruits are couple with cedar spice notes and the soft mouth-filling tannins carry the fruit as well as providing structure and length to the wine. This wine is an exemplary example of a lifted, fruit filled Barossa Shiraz suitable for drinking in its youth.

Wendouree has achieved cult status with its tiny production from ancient vines. Luscious dark berry Shiraz fruits and some meaty characters run through the full-bodied palate with ripe tannins.

Elderton is one of Australia's great Shiraz producers, year in and year out. Brimming with ripe juicy blood-plum and chocolate flavours, this is almost like Black Forest cake in a bottle!

The nose shows complex savoury, earthy, bramble aromas with lifted American oak. The palate is medium bodied with bright red currant and hints of spice and blackberry.

Though part of the Barossa, the Eden Valley is a slightly cooler climate than the neighbouring Barossa Valley, so generally produce Shiraz that is slightly more elegant in style. That said, the Eden Hall Shiraz is a wine that is not only rich, vibrant and full of life today, it will also hang in for the long haul.

From Orange in NSW, this Shiraz is a good introduction to the qualities of this emerging area. It shows aromas of plum and spices and the palate is all about the fruit with little intrusive oak.

Produced from one of Australia's premier Shiraz growing regions, McLaren Vale, comes Woodstock Shiraz. A big, richly flavoured Shiraz with spice and red berry fruit flavours. Sweet, ripe tannins and a complex acid structure gives the wine brilliant concentration and complexity. A perfect medium term cellaring option.