If we’re honest, there’s not a single reason that we don’t love Sidewood. They’re far from being one-trick ponies (although everyone can find a favourite in their range). Whether it be sensational sparkling, succulent sauvignon blanc, perfect pinot noir, or shining chardonnay. This time, the spotlight is on the shiraz. Selected fruit, estate crafted, 100% french oak treatment through fermentation and 15 months maturation, before final barrel selection is undergone. No stone left unturned, no drop of wine slips by without quality assured. To simply say this overdelivers doesn’t do it justice: this excels in its own category and ones above.

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).

Clare Valley’s Jim Barry is a name known around the world – a byword for quality and wine expertise. 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’. Over three generations the Barry name has been famous throughout the wine world and synonymous with the Clare Valley. 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.Their range includes flawless Riesling (think Florita), unique Assyrtiko – a Greek white grape Peter introduced to Australia in 2016 – and exciting reds, including the iconic $350+ Armagh Shiraz. Tom (Gourmet Traveller WINE’s Young Winemaker of the Year 2013) and the impressively bearded Sam continue to push boundaries in style and flavour. "Clare Valley Shiraz is about brightness of fruit. The Eastern Ranges vineyard is one of the Clare Valley’s highest Shiraz vineyards and produces medium bodied Shiraz with bright red and purple fruit and lots of energy and freshness" says winemaker Tom Barry.

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!