Fresh blackberry aromas with hints of plum, spice and dark chocolate. Full- bodied, with a dark berry mid-palate with a silky structured finish of fine grained tannins and rich toasty oak to give a long lingering finish.

Aromas of sweet plum, ripe blackberry, red liquorice and a hint of smokey oak. The palate is generous and smooth with dark fruits of blackberry and white pepper. Fine tannins combine with the dusty oak tannins to provide a persistent fruit driven finish.

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.

Malbec is renowned for its value in blends but not often found as a varietal. This fine example from Bleasdale is considered a benchmark for the style. Soft, smooth, toasty oak with great depth of complexity.

Another impeccably good offering from Chester Osborne combining rich and voluptuous McLaren Vale Shiraz with lifted fragrant Viognier. d'Arenberg is one of the pioneers of this style, the 'Magpie' continues to go from strength to strength.

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.

A masterly crafted Shiraz from some outstanding regions in Australia. Hardys HRB has a complex nose showing dark fruits and well handled oak, and mouth coating tannins lead to a persistent finish.

Chapel Hill The Vinedresser is a true to form McLaren Vale Shiraz. With hints of blueberry and spice and a long, silky finish.

Varietal aromas of mint and cassis are well matched with subtle vanillin oak on the nose. The palate is supple and smooth the blackcurrant flavours framed by fine ripe tannins. Try it with roast lamb.

Oliver's Taranga have a long and distinguished history in the McLaren Vale and are custodians of some of the premier vineyard land in the region. Corrina Wright is now the winemaking brain behind this progressive winery and her Shiraz is a modern masterstroke. Smoke and bacon on the nose with sweet and savoury tones. Soft fruit flavours luscious mouth feel and great length to this wine. Delicious.