Two Hands is a winery that rarely puts a foot wrong, and the 'Gnarly Dudes' is no exception. The Gnarly refers to the gnarled old Shiraz vines this wine comes from. The nose jumps immediately out of the glass with hints of Asian spice, blackcurrant, rasberry, black pepper, anise and the slightest waft of perfumed violets. The palate gives up a generous hit of black cherry and liquorice. With great complexity, heavy tannins and a brilliant long length, this is a wine that will greatly reward a few years in the cellar.

Nitschke Block Shiraz displays rich, opulent fruit with a fantastic balance of texture. Lifted notes of greengage plums are first to emerge from what is a tightly-wound wine. There is also a warming spice element of subtle white pepper as well as some dark cherry and plum flavours.

Chris Ringland Shiraz has been one of Australia's most loved wines over the past few years with its immense concentration of bold, forboding fruit. Chris Ringland, the man behind such famous names as Three Rivers Shiraz, creates a wine that is made from mature Northern Barossa vines and shows dark mass of concentrated black and blue fruits, laced with sweet mocha and wrapped in a smooth, velvety texture. Not for the faint of heart, the CR Shiraz is improving vintage on vintage.

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.

St Hallett Butchers Cart Shiraz gives vibrant and rich blueberry and dark cherry with a hint of mocha. A bold an opulent palate, filled with generous red berry fruits, dark plums and completed by supple supportive tannins.

A superb example of classic Barossa Shiraz. Bold, full-flavoured and complex, it offers great depth and silky tannins. Magnificent drinking now but will reward medium-term cellaring.

Shingleback owners John & Kym Davey produce a lovely, rich McLaren Vale Shiraz here with aromas of ripe cherry fruit, milk chocolate and licorice. Plush and sweet fruited on the palate, the tannins are soft and supple. Wonderful drinking.

Shiraz is thought to be one of the oldest grape varieties. It is typically deeper in colour just as the colour of this wine from the Great Western area. It has the elegance of a cool climate wine; Black peppery and sometimes mint characters with warm spices on the nose with great tannins and oak structure on the palate. Best's Great Western Bin 1 Shiraz is beautifully made for most occasion.

Intense, textured and showing pure fruit flavours, Jester Shiraz is considered Mitolo's baby G.A.M Shiraz using the same barrels in which the G.A.M was previously aged in. The palate is full of bright, red berry flavours, a subtle herbal character and an overall savoury quality to the finish. Made to be upfront and approachable for early appreciation, the Jester Shiraz delivers excellent quality for the price.

Full-bodied and powerful, displaying bold aromas of rich plum and cedar. The palate is well-rounded and concentrated, with attractive ripe plum, blackberry and spice flavours, leading to a long, persistent finish with excellent balance.

If you love your big, bold and brash Barossa Shiraz, then look no further. Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz produce wine of utmost power and strength. Their Gnarly Dudes is a perfect example. Bold black and blue fruits dominate with a healthy smattering of oak to hold everything in place. Sumptuous!