The original Australian "Rhône Ranger", Charlie Melton can be credited as the pioneer in reviving old vine Grenache based wines. By taking a stance against the government funded vine pull scheme of the 1980's, he has single handedly saved some of the worlds most ancient vineyards. His Nine Popes now stands as a beacon of quality amongst other great "GSM" blends.

This Two Hands Shiraz is full bodied but very buoyant. Bright flavours are lifted and accented by notes of fresh blue and blackberry with hints of plum. Creamy complexity through the palate adds depth and interesting texture. Palate has great depth and a coating nature but doesnt feel heavy. Tannins start mid-palate and leave a lovely rolling chewy nature. Spicy through the finish with vanilla and sweet baking spices.

Rockford needs no introduction, although most of the plaudits go to their red wines. This tawny is a fitting tribute to founder Robert O’Callaghan’s restored 1897 Paddle Steamer Marion; with the very old base wine being refreshed each year with small casks as they reach maturity. The result is packed with gentle dark fruit and dried/caramelized fruit notes and lots of baking spice complexity. You can happily leave an open bottle in a dark place to sip over the course of a few months, though we find it tends to disappear pretty quickly. The dark horse of the Rockford range.

Vinification is simple and centred around preserving the delicacy, freshness and vitality found in early picked old vine fruit. This Spinifex Rose consists of Grenache (52%), Cinsault (30 %), Mataro (14%) and Ugni blanc (4%). Bunches from mature (averaging 65 years of age) dry drown vineyards are hand harvested and the crushed and left to macerate for between 4 and 48 hrs prior to pressing.

Yalumba has always had a passion to keep exciting barrels or small batch wines separate from the blending table, regardless of quantity. This is where the Steeple Vineyard Shiraz was discovered. Sourced from antique vines within the Yalumba Steeple Vineyard on the Barossa Valley floor, this Shiraz is a strong expression of terroir, with a dynamic scent, energetic freshness and cooling earthy tannins.

Yalumba Paradox Shiraz is an inky, crimson wine full of aromas of mixed spice and crushed black pepper, violets, fennel and hints of blueberries. The palate is like layers of velvet, with great structure showing lush red berries, olives and anise.

This spicy Barossa blend is based on fruit from mature Grenache vines. Ripe plum aromas jump out of the glass and the palate is rich and fruity with velvety tannins providing a lingering finish.

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.

Barossa Valley identity, Kym Teusner, harnesses the fruit weight and concentration of old vine Mataro with expert hands here with the Righteous Mataro. The fruit was sourced from the 'fruit salad' vineyard planted in the 1930s and consists mostly of Grenache, but if you look closely, every fourth vine is a quirky Mataro vine! Wonderful layers of spice over dense blue and black fruits pave the way for a finish that is utterly long and sublime.

Old vine Barossa Valley Shiraz doesn't get much better than this. The Kaesler name was reborn by winemaker and visionary Reid Bosward in 1997, breathing new life in the over 100 year old vineyards. A Quirky name matched with unrivaled concentration make The Bogan Shiraz as must have for all big Australian Shiraz lovers.