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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.

Handpicked fruit has been aged in French oak hogs heads and puncheaons to ensure the fruit was the dominant flavour and structure of the wine. On the nose layers of bright red and dark fruits greet you with perfume, spice and earth notes. This is followed by a complex and vibrant palate with a beautiful perfume. Layers of red currants and blueberries integrate with spice, underlayed with French vanilla bean and some earthy notes. It has waves of fine grained chalky tannins and a long finish.

It’s fabulously fruited and perfumed on the nose showing Black Doris plum, cherry, mixed spice and rich floral aromas, followed by a concentrated palate delivering considerable weight and persistency. It’s succulent and fleshy with a prolonged satisfying finish. At its best: now to 2036.

A much-loved South Aussie red, this blended red is rich in black fruits that fill the mouth. Raspberry, red currant and plum fruits are balanced with fine sandy tannins and cedar oak. This medium to full bodied wine has a lovely balance and style in true Church Block character. Church Block was the first wine the late Greg Trott produced under the Wirra Wirra label back in 1972. He took the name from one of the original vineyards, which runs next to the small Bethany Church (Est 1854) across the road from Wirra Wirras century old ironstone cellars. Over four decades, the Church Block label has become an Australian favourite. Gold Medal | 2016 Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada Wine Competition.

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.

While certainly lighter, more elegant, and a different style to that of some of previous years, the 2011 vintage is one of the greatest Grenache vintages Yangarra has ever produced. The white pepper spice is telling of such a cool year, and is married with bright cherries and raspberry alongside complex hints of liquorice, chicory and cured meats. The tannins are fine and delicate, and the acidity alike.

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.

It is sweetly fragrant and instantly appealing on the nose showing dark and purple fruit aromas together with tar, game, cocoa and spicy oak nuances. The palate is rich, intense and fleshy, displaying excellent power as well as rounded mouthfeel, wonderfully complemented by velvety texture and silky tannins. Impressively flavoursome and very long on the finish with loads of delectable flavours. At its best: now to 2027

Exceptionally potent and powerful, initially giving the (false) impression its alcohol is more than 14%. Retasting brings it back into perspective, the two varieties bonded, yet each preserving its varietal integrity and structural architecture. A classic Australian blend of exceptional quality, destined to outlive most who taste it.