Sitting proudly next to the iconic Woodhenge gate at Wirra is a classic Aussie residence. Originally built after severe storms destroyed the winery buildings in 1940, the then owners, the Sparrows, built this residence with left over materials from the fallen winery. Over the years, Sparrow's Lodge has been home to vintage vagabonds and the occasional winemaker and it is the good times that have been had within its walls that is celebrated in this wonderful, rich, vibrant and full-bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz.

Shiraz and Grenache blend beautifully in many of the warmer parts of South Australia. This AAA is Paxton's 9th release, crafted similar to a Rhone-style wine yet it is packed with Au's Terroir. Bright with juicy red berry fruits and spices on the palate with well integrated oak and tannins, giving this wine a remarkable lengthy finish.

Restrained and supple, lots of ripe dark plum, pepper and spice of Shiraz with the rose petal perfume lift and red cherry taste of Grenache. Lovely lightness and brightness to the back palate with a faint dried herbal and savoury edge, making it terrific immediate drinking but will cellar nicely for 5-10 years.

The Red Knot Shiraz is set to enshrine this label among the all time bargain greats in Australian wine. Following the ground breaking previous releases, the mass following for this wine is guaranteed to continue. Deep blackberry concentration swathed in supporting red fruits, dark plums, complex spices, and definitely more aniseed in this edition. A Shiraz lover's delight in every way possible!

Made by Corrina Wright, a sixth generation member of the Oliver family, this is McLaren Vale Shiraz to the extreme. There's bold chocolate and blackberry flavours, a hint of pepper and smokey overtones. The alcohol sits at the higher end of the spectrum and there's plenty of vanilla oak, but the fruit intensity pulls it all together to produce a superbly balanced wine.

A bold McLaren Vale Shiraz showing voluptuous blackberry and plum flavours with hints of coffee and chocolate. Rich and satisfying, it can be enjoyed now or cellared for more complexity.

Battle of Bosworth are a terrific, family owned winery producing some of the best organic wines available in Australia today. Their Shiraz is typical McLaren Vale with dark fruit, fresh meat and milk chocolate that can be found on the nose as well as hints of marshmallow weed and spice if you look carefully. The nose segues subtly into the long, balanced, persistent palate. A super McLaren Vale Shiraz.

Wirra Wirra's flagship Shiraz has won many accolades over the years, including the 'world's best Shiraz'. It's loaded with distinctive McLaren Vale blueberry and chocolate characters, supported by plums, violets and spice, and tannin structure destined for 10 more years in the cellar.

Vibrant, youthful colour, medium density and lovely purple tints for this Shiraz by Brokenwood. Being a cooler year the aromas are more on the spice cherry side than ripe and opulent. Medium weight palate and again spice and savoury edges. The tell-tale McLaren Vale jube fruit is there along with background oak.