ark Richardson, red specialist at Tyrrell’s calls Heathcote “undoubtedly Australia’s most exciting new red wine producing region.” Buying up vineyards here was the brainchild of Bruce Tyrrell – and it has yielded a red that wins huge numbers of loyal fans every year.

Sourced from well-established Barossa vineyards, Pepperjack Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, bold, full-fruited style blend with soft tannins, lots of personality and flavour, the perfect match for a rare aged steak.

Wynns Shiraz continues to be one of Australia's affordable favourites. Tucked away in the cellar of many budding wine collectors, Wynns Shiraz has all the structure and pedigree of some of its higher priced brothers and sisters. Rich varietal characters of plum, spice and pepper are woven through the minty regional notes and framed by fine, firm tannins.

Tyrrell's Rufus Stone is an excellent example of Heathcote Shiraz at a reasonable price. A rich, balanced wine of deep magenta colour with liquorice and white pepper aromas. Intense dark plum flavours are given a subtle lift from the well judged French oak. Better than ever!

Tucked away nicely in the Adelaide Hills, Sidewood Estate have made an art form out of crafting some of the very best single vineyard cool-climate wines available in Australia. Owen and Cassandra Inglis purchased the boutique property in 2004 and immediately set about making their vision become a reality. Their Sidewood Shiraz displays that vision to perfection. Attention to detail is the key here which enables flavours of red cherry, currants and dark plum to shine through along with hints of cinnamon and spice. The texture is beguiling and gives promise to a wine that will age for up to a decade.

A complex and attractive mix of dark and blue fruits with earthy undertones. Blood plums and black currants, liquorice and spice. A hint of truffles and oak in the mix. Medium bodied, fleshy and supple, the palate is textured and layered. Plum, aniseed and spice follow from the nose and the wine has lovely depth without being overbearing. Ripe, fine tannins and good length with dark fruits and a hint of oak.

No two words go together as well as Canberra and Shiraz in the wine world. The favourable terroir and hands on winemaking make Lerida Estate's Shiraz a must have. Brambly spice aromas are complimented by a palate that is long and refined with flavours of berried and touch of pepper. With age, the wine will become progressively richer, revealing warmer, more complex flavours, riper berries and a little liquorice.

A densely layered wine, Mitchell Peppertree Shiraz will be a reward for cellaring. Spice and savoury characters are the features of this wine along with hints of plum blackberry and chocolate. Being packaged under stelvin a big bonus!

After being in the cellar, this wine has developed beautifully, offering a more harmonious and rounded expression of its bold beginnings. The initial aromas of plum, spice and pepper have softened into a complex bouquet of stewed dark fruits, dried herbs and gentle spice. On the palate, the blackberry, plum and anise characters remain rich, now layered with subtle earthy and savoury undertones. The once-firm tannins have mellowed into a supportive, silky structure, delivering a smooth, lingering finish. A well-cellared wine now showing balance, depth and elegance.

Grant Burge reds always display classic Barossa style. This Shiraz has all the hallmarks with ripe cherry fruit smoky overtones and a good measure of sweet vanillin oak. In recent years has really began to hit its straps and with the last few Barossa vintages being on the warm side, this is a wine for the 'old school' Shiraz lover.

St Hallett's Blackwell is big Shiraz for the lovers of ripe concentrated fruit and a generous measure of vanillin oak. A classic regional style, enjoy this beauty with robust beef or game dishes.