A clonal selection from a single vine planted in 1853, the subsequent plantings necessarily relatively young, but firing on all cylinders. It is a graceful wine with a silky texture, red and purple fruits foremost; the tannins superfine, the finish lingering, the aftertaste fresh. Lovely now or in 20+ years. Alcohol: 14%. Closure: diam. Date tasted: Jan 2021. Drink by: 2038. Price: $150. Rating: 97/100.

This Barossa beauty is one for a special occasion. The dark, brooding regional characters of plum, red cherry and liquorice are all to the fore of this wine. The palate is focused and linear, with dark chocolate notes and an elegant long finish. (Limited stock)

The nameThe name JDR is a tribute to the original owner of the Hemera Estate winery; Joseph Darius Ross. The best Shiraz of the year is selected to carry his name.Vintage conditionsThe 2014 vintage saw very low rainfall in the winter and spring leading up to fruit ripening. This resulted in small berry and bunch formation and the commencement of vintage earlier than average. The smaller berries produced intense flavours in all varieties and excellent juice to skin ratios in reds. The resultant wines have pure varietal flavours with excellent mouth-feel and length to the palate.Vineyard selectionEach vintage, the best sections of the Hemera Estate Shiraz vineyards and a selected growers Barossa Valley Shiraz are identified to have the power and intensity of flavours and tannins to be worthy of the JDR label. Careful vineyard management and bunch selection ensure only pristine fruit makes the grade.WinemakingOnce the grapes have been identified to be of optimum maturation and flavour ripeness, the parcels are brought into the winery where they are destemmed and crushed into the open-topped fermenters. Manual pump-overs are conducted twice daily to provide extraction of colour, flavour and tannins. Towards the end of fermentation, the wine is drained and then pressed to a combination of predominately new French/American oak barrels for 20 months of maturation. Careful barrel selection takes place before the wine is blended.Tasting EvaluationThis wine is crafted to provide complexity, structure and vibrancy, whilst still retaining the elegance for which Hemera Estate wines are renowned. The nose displays spiced, toasty oak merging with the pristine flavours of plums, blueberry and liquorice. The new oak tannins provide backbone to the palate yet are still rich and silky and compliment the fruit cake, forest berries and dark chocolate flavours.Technical notesVarietal composition: 100% ShirazRegion (GI): Barossa ValleyWinemaker: Alex MacClellandAlcohol : 14.5% alc/vol

The Glaetzer name comes with as much heritage as this classic Australian blend. Rich, ripe and full bodied, this unfiltered red is a parfait of mouthfilling complexity. Made by Ben Glaetzer, the Anaperenna Shiraz Cab is not only striking in label, it's also striking on the palate. Destined to be a long lived blend with the Cabernet structure keeping the plush and vibrant Shiraz fruit in check.

William Randell is Thorn Clarkes flagship Shiraz named in honour of William Richard Randell, a 19th century family ancestor and distinguished Australian pioneer. A full bodied rich and spicy style with ripe plum and cassis, sweet coconut oak and plentiful grainy tannins, it has the structure and concentration to reward long term cellaring. The Shiraz is sourced from estate owned vineyards in the Barossa Valley. Vinification takes place in small open top fermenters, manually pumped over and then transferred into 40% new American oak for up to 16 months.

The Glaetzer family have been part of the Barossa winemaking scene since 1888 and now Ben takes over the reigns and produces Shiraz of the utmost intensity and concentration. Named after the ancient Egyptian god Amon-Ra who was the champion of the poor and troubled and was central to personal piety, the temple of Amon-Ra is believed to be the first to plant a vineyard to produce wine for the citizens of the temple. This incarnation is rich, full-bodied and viscous to the palate, yet with sublime oak integration and a balance on the back palate that is quite lifted allowing it to be paired with many meals and a prime candidate for medium to long term cellaring.

Old vines Shiraz grapes were used in the making of this beautifully crafted Torbreck The Struie Shiraz. With the blend of two great regions, Eden and Barossa Valley, the flavours and aromas intensified yet still worked harmoniously together. A more elegant exotic floral aromas are supported by the more brooding notes of tar and chocolate on the nose. Combined with luscious flavours of stew dark fruits and structured tannins, this wine has bold and silky smooth finish.

Torbreck, a well-respected winery in South Australia. The Steading is a decadent blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro, the three traditional Barossa varieties. Wonderful richness and bold fruit flavours packed in this bottle yet harmoniouslyýco-exist together. Well developed complexity on the palate, although great to enjoy now, it has great potentialýfor further long term cellar with the right conditions.ý