Now sourcing fruit from premium regions across Australia, this Cabernet blend shows varietal mint on the nose with floral notes in the background. The palate has good weight and texture, the flavours of blackcurrant and herb framed by firm tannins.

Chapel Hill's Michael Fragos loves using the Parsons label to showcase McLaren Vale's diversity and varietal character. To achieve the desired style and to harness the regal varietal flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes are strategically harvested to avoid any green tannins or overripe jammy fruit flavours. Full-bodied in style, the palate is both eloquently pure and broodingly complex, supported by fine, savoury tannins. A great companion for a medium rare steak with a solid helping of steamed greens.

One of the few straight varietals in Australia (Petit Verdot is usually blended with other Bordeaux varieties), the nose displays violets, briary blackberry and a hint of cedar. The palate reveals concentrated spicy plum, cherry and mulberry flavours. Will cellar well.

Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz is a terrific McLaren Vale Shiraz with lovely suppleness of texture. Plum aniseed and rich fruit-cake flavours are woven around spicy oak and light lingering tannin.

Pirramimma Shiraz is full-fruited and powerful, with sweet plum and mocha along with cinnamon notes and dark chocolate which are all typical regional characters of McLaren Vale.

With the Southern Ocean coastline just minutes from Gemtree's vineyards, the maritime influence runs deep at this winery. Couple this with the certified organic vineyards that are tended by hand and you have a perfect recipe for a bold and full-bodied Shiraz; the Dragon's Blood McLaren Vale Shiraz. Choosing sites that offer the greatest varietal expression, concentration and finesse, the wine then saw maturation in French oak of sizes ranging from barriques (225L) to puncheons (500L) for 12 months. The result is a foreboding Shiraz that displays notes of blueberry, blackcurrant, aniseed and balancing earthen touch. Ideal served on its own to fully appreciate the rich and complex flavours but also at home when paired with French cutlets and slow cooked duck.

This cult winery continues to impress with yet another award, this time with the 2009 Squid Ink Shiraz. So why not pick-up a bottle and see why this winery is creating monster waves. McLaren Vale III Associates bring together 3 passionate people together to produce amazingly concentrated and regional McLaren Vale wines. Here we have a classic McLaren Vale Shiraz that is almost black in the colour. Ripe blackberry fruit, spice and a touch of vanilla. Winner of multiple awards across the globe, don't be the one to miss out!

Big bold and tightly knit, Woodhenge will evolve over the following years as the style and full body of McLaren Vale fruit starts to integrate. Currently showing dark chocolate, mocha and mint over tones. As this wine ages and unfurls patience will be rewarded.

The Shingleback D Block Reserve Shiraz is named for the Davey Block of the Davey Estate vineyard and is the personal expression of the McLaren Vale from the eyes of winemaker John Davey. True reserve wines, the D Block is only made in exceptional vintages just like this 2009. In the glass the wine has a colour that is impenetrable purple red. On the nose there are aromas of mulberry and blackberry that mingle with dusty cashew, milky chocolate (typical of McLaren Vale), spice and forest floor. There are tight, fine tannins to counter the bold, fresh fruit which results in an alluring and unmistakable wine that expresses the essence of the vine, the time and the place.

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.