Hand-crafted using small parcels of premium fruit, The Old Dog Shiraz is an uncompromising marriage of both elegance and strength. The exceptional structure of the palate delivers full bodied flavours of rich plum, dark fruits, chocolate and liquorice, finished with impeccably polished tannins that balance the natural fruit acid nicely. John Harris (renowned winemaker behind the Shanahans label) has crafted some serious Shiraz.

If you love your big, bold and brash Barossa Shiraz, then look no further. Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz produce wine of utmost power and strength. Their Gnarly Dudes is a perfect example. Bold black and blue fruits dominate with a healthy smattering of oak to hold everything in place. Sumptuous!

This Two Hands Shiraz is full bodied but very buoyant. Bright flavours are lifted and accented by notes of fresh blue and blackberry with hints of plum. Creamy complexity through the palate adds depth and interesting texture. Palate has great depth and a coating nature but doesnt feel heavy. Tannins start mid-palate and leave a lovely rolling chewy nature. Spicy through the finish with vanilla and sweet baking spices.

One of the benchmarks of Barossa Shiraz, Peter Lehmann's Stonewell is a classic example of the rich concentrated old vine style. While bold on the palate, there is always an inherent complexity to the Stonewell that enables it to be compared with all of the great Australian wines produced today.

Based at their Home of the Brave winery in the Barossa, First Drop describe their wine-making philosophy as a sensibility for tradition with a passion for innovation. This Shiraz is garnet red with purple hues. Complex nose of dark cherry and blackberry aromas with a hint of forest floor and spice.

Murray Street Vineyards might be a recent addition to the Barossa Valley elite, but it hasn't taken Andrew Seppelt and his team to firmly place themselves at the pointy end of quality in the Barossa. With access to some of the oldest vineyards in the Valley, Murray Street are able to produce wines like this Red Label Shiraz that are bursting with varietal aromas and flavours. Dark, purple and blueberry fruit with a fine and integrated tannin structure. A beautifully balanced wine.

Big and beautiful! This Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz has dark plums, chocolate and mocha on the nose; it is rich and fills the palate with textured dark fruits with a hints of oak in the background.

Old vine Grenache, Shiraz and Mataró combine in this Barossa red. Aromas of raspberry, dried herbs and floral notes introduce juicy berry flavours on the palate framed by fine tannins. [biodynamic]

Kellermeister's Wild Witch has garnered a cult following over the past years due to the brooding, rich, full-bodied and limited nature of the Barossa classic. The inky, viscous, foreboding black fruit is sourced from low-yielding, dry grown vineyards specially selected for producing the very best Kellermeister can get their hands on. Resting for two years in the finest French oak to really develop its flavour and character. Almost 'magical'.

The Glaetzer family have been part of the Barossa winemaking scene since 1888 and now Ben takes over the reigns and produces Shiraz of the utmost intensity and concentration. Named after the ancient Egyptian god Amon-Ra who was the champion of the poor and troubled and was central to personal piety, the temple of Amon-Ra is believed to be the first to plant a vineyard to produce wine for the citizens of the temple. This incarnation is rich, full-bodied and viscous to the palate, yet with sublime oak integration and a balance on the back palate that is quite lifted allowing it to be paired with many meals and a prime candidate for medium to long term cellaring.