The 2018 Harold opens with intense aromas of black olive, cassis and coffee, complimented by subtler tones of lavender and violets. It is immediately apparent that this is a powerful, dark, brooding and soulful wine. The texture is rich yet lithe, and the freshness in the wine carries the depth with poise. Liquorice, dark chocolate and blackberry dominate the classically brackish palate. The cool vintage conditions provide balanced acidity and soft, ripe tannin. It is pure Northern Barossa Shiraz from a tiny, old plot in the heart and soul of the western ridge, Moppa. Decant and enjoy now or keep in the cellar for the next 8-10 years. I grew up in the Wimmera in Victoria at a time when the creeks and lakes flowed bountifully with water. We regularly fished for trout in these lakes and Dad, being a tragic angler, would never be short of gear. Sometimes we would share 20 fishing rods between our family of five, which eventually caused issues as we could not tell which rod was biting. We decided to name the rods, and in doing so they took on their own personalities. Harold Fisher was an old, traditional, grain farmer that Dad sold tractors to, and he wasnt renowned for his abilities as a scholar or fashionista. It was obvious to name a rod after Harold, but little did we know that this rod was to become as much a part of the family as the rest of us. A legend in and out of the water, Harold was purchased in the 1950s and is still used to this day. He is old and grumpy yet freakishly talented. The 2018 Vintage once again proved that timing is everything. Following a wet growing season in 2017, we had minimal autumn and winter rain, setting us up for a potentially difficult year. However, spring provided us with bountiful water and the season was set from there. We experienced another dry and hot summer, which restricted our yields but amplified the quality of the harvest. For Izway, a late March start resulted in cool picking conditions, lower alcohols and incredible purity and energy in our wine. The result is another spectacular vintage characterized by intensity and elegance. Izway wines was conceived on a handshake between two Aussie wine makers in a chateau in Beaujolais. Brian Conway and Craig Isbel met during vintage at Chateau de Bluizard in 2002 and after many nights drinking pastis they decided to start their own winery in the Barossa Valley.

The Bethany Cabernet Merlot from the Schrapel family's Bethany winery exhibits herbal blackberry and cherry flavours with subtle oak in the background. Drinking well now, but also can handle a little bit of medium term cellaring to really coax those soft, ripe tannins to infuse beautifully with its primary fruit.

Eden Valley gets the full Torbreck treatment here, a small plot of Eden fruit transformed into a rich lush full bodied wine. Drink now for a velvet sledge hammer, or cellar for a wine of elegance and finesse.

Two Hands Ares Shiraz is a wine that showcases the very best parcel selection that Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz can get their 'Two Hands' on. A wonderfully powerful, rich and dense Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, the Ares Shiraz is matured in 100% French Oak, not a common practice in the Barossa. With the full-bodied nature of the wine, the extra bottle age makes the Ares Shiraz a perfect bottle to open now.

Smooth and refined this Shiraz shows intense plum berry and liquorice flavours. Enhanced by maturation in quality oak this is a wine to enjoy now or cellar medium term.

Pure Vision's Organic Merlot is an outstanding value Merlot, taking on bottle aged secondary flavours of poached plum and soft tannins, yet still vibrant and youthful in spirit. Delicious.

The Kalleske and Schroeter families produce amazing Barossa Shiraz. Jacks Shiraz has the pure blackberry flavours and concentration that is usually associated with wines double the price.

Established way back in 1893 by true regional pioneers, Kaesler has been reborn by winemaking vionary, Reid Bosward. The Cabernet Sauvignon has fresh cassis and herbal notes with the perfect amount of ripe tannin. To finish the package off, sublime length.

The Eden Valley altitudes were always going to be the source for Kym Teusner's grand Cabernet statement. The fruit is awesome beyond belief, and it shows in this ridiculously underpriced masterstroke. An entitled mouthful of dark currants and blue fruits have a lasting depth all their own, wrapped in a precision poised tannin structure with grip and presence, yet silky throughout. Could be rookie of the year!

The Burge family are Barossa royalty with a history that dates back to 1885 when Grant Burge's Great Great Grandfather, John Burge, immigrated to Australia. Being the 5th Generation Burge, this wine pays tribute to the great impact the Burge family continues to have over the great regions history. The Cabernet Merlot is a wonderfully lush and vibrant wine with typical Barossa notes of vanilla and blueberry all kept in wonderful balance with judicious use of oak.