Sharktooth is an apt name of this wonderfully balanced wine. Razor sharp flavours of dark mulberry and blackcurrant are sliced by a freshness and vibrancy not often seen in full-bodied wines from McLaren Vale. A supreme example of modern Australian red winemaking is on display here and despite the unctuous concentration this wine dances across the palate and leaves you with a delightful length of flavour.

This wine is made from the best grapes from the Maxwell estate, sourced from low yielding, old vines, the result is a wine that offers pure, rich dark fruit, cocoa and peppery spice for which McLaren Vale Shiraz is famous for.

Shingleback owners John & Kym Davey produce a lovely, rich McLaren Vale Shiraz here with aromas of ripe cherry fruit, milk chocolate and licorice. Plush and sweet fruited on the palate, the tannins are soft and supple. Wonderful drinking.

Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Shiraz has a rich and complex bouquet that promises something special and it certainly delivers. The palate is laden with generous plum, blackberry and spice and the length is exceptional. This one is a keeper! More to the savoury side of Shiraz, it is about texture more than just fruit.

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.

Elegant with a complex bouquet and palate. Ripe berry fruit with subtle oak notes and soft integrated tannins. The bouquet has ripe black fruit, mocha and fruitcake spice, with orange rind on show; the palate is dense and unctuous, the bitter chocolate providing a pleasant foil to the ripe black fruit on display.

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.

Leconfield regularly produce fine full flavoured Shiraz. This release from McLaren Vale shows spicy berry-like varietal character with some minty-chocolately regional hints balanced tannins and well judged oak.