The Canberra District has quickly established itself as the Australian home of Northern Rhône style reds, and most notably Shiraz Viognier. With the cool-climate and the elevated nature of the Lark Hill Vineyards, the extra viscosity attributed to the addition of Viognier to the Shiraz as well as the fragrant lift, work perfectly for this wine.

Ray Nadeson and his richly textured wines have commanded a very strong following of lovers of medium bodied, sophisticated and immaculately made wines. His Heathcote Shiraz is a lovely, generous and spicy Shiraz that has layers of complexity and a length the envy of most.

Howard Park has joined Australia's First Families of Wine and is amassing a loyal following. From the Scotsdale vineyard site, this Shiraz mingles earthy and spicy aromas layed out before a palate displaying great concentration but supreme elegance. Black fruits, liquorice and five spice overarch layered tannins that are fine and persistent.

A great Margaret River Shiraz with temperate ripening conditions promoting fruit intensity, richness and fine tannins. The palate is restrained and balanced with flavours of plum and aniseed spice.

Every so often there are parcels of wine that generate tremendous excitement amongst the winemakers at Schild Estate. They set this aside to make Prämie, the wine that defines the best of the vintage and the land on which it was grown. Intense primary fresh plum flavours show again on the palate, where they hold their presence all the way through to roll out soft and pillowy at the finish. A firmly present, but fine tannin framework provides just enough focus and lift for the fruit to ensure added complexity, but retaining vibrancy to the mouth flavours of this Shiraz.

The Adams brothers and their vineyard are responsible for many of the iconic wines that take pride of place in many cellars. Parcels of their best fruit is kept aside for their own label, Brothers In Arms. Fantastic Langhorne Creek concentration is on show here with layers of chocolate and dark, black fruit. A brute with a touch of style.

Wynns is in the fortunate position to have holdings of some of Coonawarra's oldest Shiraz vines and coupled with recent plantings in the 1990s, Wynns now have fruit that is worthy of its own place amongst the Wynns elite. Enter Wynns Black Label Shiraz - with a dense, dark nose of pepper, mulberries and distinctive florals that are the perfect gateway to a palate that is rich and complex. Flavours of layered red berry, spice and chocolate with tight, focused tannins that will see the Black Label Shiraz become another Wynns favourite.

Greenock is a long standing subregion in the Barossa Valley known for rich, silken, dark-fruited wines. When you mix that terroir-driven history with a winery like Kalleske you have a match made in heaven. Able to fully utilise the deeply concentrated flavours produced by the Greenock fruit, the skilled team has bottle a full-bodied Barossa Shiraz that is overflowing with fruit, balanced tannins and seamless oak. Given some time and a nice decant and this single vineyard Shiraz will open up wonderfully.

The V&A Lane wines from Wynns pay tribute to the wonderful and unique vineyards that are located around V&A Lane in central Coonawarra. This is a wonderful release from Wynns' iconic winemaker, Sue Hodder. A burst of spicy dark fruit hits the nose with ripe cherries, plums and black fruits on the palate. The richness of the fruit is held in check by fine tannins and deft use of good oak. A brilliant wine for right now or many years in the cellar.

Sharktooth is an apt name of this wonderfully balanced wine. Razor sharp flavours of dark mulberry and blackcurrant are sliced by a freshness and vibrancy not often seen in full-bodied wines from McLaren Vale. A supreme example of modern Australian red winemaking is on display here and despite the unctuous concentration this wine dances across the palate and leaves you with a delightful length of flavour.