An amazing parcel of rich, dark, concentrated McLaren Vale Shiraz has gone into 'The Prize' ... look forward to a mouthful of powerful dark fruit, a tempting dark chocolate richness, and a silky, spicy, long, long palate. This is a beauty. Enjoy.

Oliver's Taranga have a long and distinguished history in the McLaren Vale and are custodians of some of the premier vineyard land in the region. Corrina Wright is now the winemaking brain behind this progressive winery and her Shiraz is a modern masterstroke. Smoke and bacon on the nose with sweet and savoury tones. Soft fruit flavours luscious mouth feel and great length to this wine. Delicious.

Chapel Hill's Michael Fragos loves using The Parson Shiraz to showcase McLarenVale's diversity and varietal character. The Shallow soils over livestone in maritime influenced vineyards between McLaren Vale and Masline Beach and also around Bowering Hill, provide explosive blueberries and liquorice with finesse and a wonderfully framing tannin structure. Up in the foothills of the Mount Lofty ranges, a Kangarilla vineyard offers Indian spice complexities that many higher priced wines would simply love to have. The added length and savoury tannins of this component and the use of some French oak result in a beguiling final release that is extraordinary.

Trains played a key role in early South Australian history. McLaren Vale was a central stop for passengers on their journey between Melbourne and Adelaide before highways rendered the railways unnecessary. Now, these 'ghost rail lines' are all that's left of the bustling intercity connection; a testament to times past when trains ruled. The rolling stock that sits idle are all that's left; a Train to Nowhere. This Shiraz is a tribute to those trains that carried passengers faithfully between cities. It displays sweet blackberry and Christmas cake aromas, with a full palate of dark fruit and dashes of cinnamon and spice.

Made by Corrina Wright, a sixth generation member of the Oliver family, this is McLaren Vale Shiraz to the extreme. There's bold chocolate and blackberry flavours, a hint of pepper and smokey overtones. The alcohol sits at the higher end of the spectrum and there's plenty of vanilla oak, but the fruit intensity pulls it all together to produce a superbly balanced wine.

Medium bodied, with lots of chocolate and blackberry, sophisticated supple tannins supporting deep fruits and appealing savoury balance. Has enormous appeal now yet will age gracefully for 8-12 years.

Vibrant in colour the nose shows plum and berry fruit with spice pepper and well integrated oak. The palate has good fruit weight with attractive berry flavours and a fine tannin finish.

Beresford pride themselves on passionately capturing the pure varietal expression and the essence of their terrior to deliver a Shiraz of timeless elegance and muscular complexity. Quintessentially McLaren Vale, the wine has a rich, full palate brimming with dark berry fruits, coffee and spice characteristics finishing with soft, lengthy tannins. A cracking wine of great substance and exceptional balance.

Shiraz and Grenache blend beautifully in many of the warmer parts of South Australia. This AAA is Paxton's 9th release, crafted similar to a Rhone-style wine yet it is packed with Au's Terroir. Bright with juicy red berry fruits and spices on the palate with well integrated oak and tannins, giving this wine a remarkable lengthy finish.

Sisters Run is an independently owned and operated winery with a fierce commitment to make the best wines from family vineyards. The label pays reference to talented young winemaker Elena Brooks who wears steel cap boots in the day but carries a pair of high heels in the back of the ute, just in case of emergencies. Lovely aromas of red berries mingle delightfully with spice and black pepper notes. The palate is dry, medium-full bodied and amply rewards the promise of the nose. Suggestions of spice, plus red and black fruit, with a crisp acidity and appropriate tannins keeping everything balanced through the end of the long and tangy finish.

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.