Medium red with a purple hue in the glass, Jim Barry The Forger Shiraz opens with a brooding array of purple fruits with a hint of violet lift then countered with notes of cinnamon and sweet oak char. The palate is packed with the rich brambly fruit which follows on from the nose. Fine, chalky tannins give the wine a plush, velvety texture that fills the length of the palate. The Forger has a rich, lingering, persistent finish and is ideal for cellaring.

The wine displays a complex aroma of lifted violets, red berries and mint with lovely cedary oak. The palate is brimming with rich plums, blackberries and subtle chocolate and earthy notes. The intense flavour is balanced by fine sandy tannins and spicy vanillin oak.

The Knappstein name remains a hallmark of quality and we are excited and proud today to announce the official launch of the delicious Spring Farm Shiraz Cabernet, which unites the two red grapes for which the Clare Valley is rightly famous. Today you have the opportunity to enjoy it at its special Summer Launch price. Michael Kane, Chief Winemaker at Knappstein has a love for wine, and travel that has led him to visit and work across the world – Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon, Napa and Central Otago, and he has crafted many award-winning wines for celebrated brands such as Devil’s Lair, Stella Bella and Wolf Blass. The team at Knappstein consider themselves guardians of the vines, most of which are in excess of 50 years. They adopt a minimal intervention approach in the vineyard with the aim to create wines of real personality and unique regionality while maintaining rigorous high standards of sustainability.

The Knappstein Malbec showcases vibrant varietal aromas of dark plum and raspberry with a dose of fresh cherry. Generous, yet delicate tannins provide the wine with body, enhanced with subtle oak. Fruit is complimented with sweet cinnamon and spice characters, framing the wine for a long finish.

Over three generations the Barry name has been famous throughout the wine world and synonymous with the Clare Valley. A founding member of Australia’s First Families of Wine, the Barry family celebrated the 60th anniversary of its winery in 2020, the year it also scooped the title of Halliday’s ‘Winery of the Year’. Jim Barry bought his first vineyard here in 1959, and even helped the Taylor family open their winery a decade later. Son Peter took over Jim Barry in 1985, and today brothers Tom and Sam, with sister Olivia, have raised the bar even higher. Enjoy a new Jim Barry exclusive, an absolutely delicious Single Vineyard Grenache. The grape has become the hottest thing in wine in recent years, with a new generation of winemakers create fresh, super approachable modern styles. When Grenache – rare in the Clare Valley – came up in discussion, buyer Ben Cohn, an ardent devotee of the grape, was stoked. The wine was crafted using fruit from the family’s limestone-rich McKay’s vineyard in Watervale – and sings with fresh red fruit and elegant, sandy tannins. It boasts fresh raspberry & spice on nose & palate with bluefruits, plum & orange rind hints. Great length too. Serve it slightly chilled, and it makes a great match with Thai Pork Belly. It’s exquisite. We share it at a special launch price (especially exciting for UNLIMITED members).

Scores of 91pts, 92pts and a star for Special Value point to the quality of this straight Cabernet Franc from the ever-impressive Pikes of the Clare Valley.“Bright and fresh style with good balance of brambly herbal character, pepper and dark plummy fruit, with suggestions of black olive and some more ferrous, earthy elements. Bold perfume, more sleek and almost crisp... Long strides of tannin, and there's a freshness through the finish. This is really pleasing.” Mike Bennie, The Halliday Wine Companion. The Wine Team here certainle agree with Mike. Very pleasing indeed!