Penny's Hill Cracking Black Shiraz continues to be what all McLaren Vale Shiraz should be. Deliciously intense, with all its components looking their best and beautifully synchronised. There's lengthy concentrated blackberry fruit, liquorice and pepper. Superb!

Bernoota was the original name of the Lake Breeze homestead and now the Bernoota Shiraz Cabernet is rightfully considered to be one of Australia's favourite Shiraz Cabernet blends. And they don't come much better than Bernoota for the price! Not only is it rich and luscious, filled with blackcurrant, spice and pepper, it has a touch of dark chocolate on the finish. The 2009 is a 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet blend and spends 20 months in a mixture of French and American Oak that will see the wine not only be enjoyable now, but develop beautifully in the bottle for a further 8 to 10 years.

Utilising the winemaking talents of Larry Cherubino and over 40 years of winemaking experience himself, Robert Oatley lends his name to this McLaren Vale Shiraz that has all the hallmarks of an exceptional regional example. Matured for 10 months in French oak and sourced from fruit from around the sub-region of Blewitt Springs, this Shiraz is opulent, fleshy and textured with flavours of blueberries and spice with a lingering, soft finish.

Bremerton Tamblyn is a blend of four premium red varieties all grown in Langhorne Creek that have been blended to create a generous well balanced wine showing lifted violet and red cherry aromas with mouth filling fruit and soft tannins. For the price, easily one of the best Cabernet blends available.

Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Shiraz has a rich and complex bouquet that promises something special and it certainly delivers. The palate is laden with generous plum, blackberry and spice and the length is exceptional. This one is a keeper! More to the savoury side of Shiraz, it is about texture more than just fruit.

In the glass the 2010 S has a black core with a deep red rim. There are elegant aromas of red black fruits, and spicy earthy notes with a hint of grilled meats, graphite and controlled oak. On the palate the fruit continues with rich plums, and blueberries and delicate spice and chocolate which all roll on to a juicy palate with fine tannins that go on ... and on. Smidge recommends drinking this wine betwen 2014 and 2030.

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

You must've been well-behaved because good karma is here. The cool maritime climate of South Australia’s Langhorne Creek has imbued this Shiraz with deep dark berry flavours, savoury spice, and hints of mocha. With each sip finishing on luxurious silky tannins, your luck won’t be running out anytime soon.

The Big Bull Langhorne Creek Shiraz is specially made for celebrations. The region is a hidden gem among South Australia for its excellent Shiraz. It shows flavours of ripe plums and mulberries, layered with chocolate, pepper and fresh spices. Full, vibrant and aromatic, its significant cool climate gives the wine the finesse and elegance while retaining a full rich character.

Birthday Wine Cylinder “Hip Hip Hooray It’s Your Birthday”. The Bleasdale Generations Shiraz 2018 offers aromas of blackberry and liquorice on the nose. The palate features flavours of ripe plums and other dark berries, layered with liquorice, pepper and fresh spices. This is an elegant style of shiraz with many layers of complexity.