Brothers Kym and John Davey are the winemaking team behind this quality expression of McLaren Vale Shiraz. Using modern viticultural practices that minimise work to the soil of their estate vineyard, ensures superior fruit is grown for the wine. Flavours of dark cherries and chocolate are finely framed with silky tannins and fresh acidity. Fine grained American and French oak are the thread that runs through this full-bodied Shiraz, tying together the opulent mid-palate and long, lingering finish.

The Shingleback D Block Reserve Shiraz is named for the Davey Block of the Davey Estate vineyard and is the personal expression of the McLaren Vale from the eyes of winemaker John Davey. True reserve wines, the D Block is only made in exceptional vintages just like this 2009. In the glass the wine has a colour that is impenetrable purple red. On the nose there are aromas of mulberry and blackberry that mingle with dusty cashew, milky chocolate (typical of McLaren Vale), spice and forest floor. There are tight, fine tannins to counter the bold, fresh fruit which results in an alluring and unmistakable wine that expresses the essence of the vine, the time and the place.

In the glass the 2010 S has a black core with a deep red rim. There are elegant aromas of red black fruits, and spicy earthy notes with a hint of grilled meats, graphite and controlled oak. On the palate the fruit continues with rich plums, and blueberries and delicate spice and chocolate which all roll on to a juicy palate with fine tannins that go on ... and on. Smidge recommends drinking this wine betwen 2014 and 2030.

Restrained and supple, lots of ripe dark plum, pepper and spice of Shiraz with the rose petal perfume lift and red cherry taste of Grenache. Lovely lightness and brightness to the back palate with a faint dried herbal and savoury edge, making it terrific immediate drinking but will cellar nicely for 5-10 years.

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.

An elegant wine with perfectly ripened blackberry and plum fruit, liquorice and hints of dark chocolate. Maturation in high quality French and American oak has created a complex layered finish with fine tannins and notes of vanilla and spice. Sourced from vines planted in 1947 this wine was matured in a combination of French and American oak for 18 months. Expressive aromatics of liquorice, dark chocolate and blackberries emerge from the glass with underlying toasty vanillin oak and spice. Full bodied, rich and velvety in its mouthfeel the palate delivers a generous flavour profile of ripe blackberries, liquorice and dark chocolates over some smoky vanillin cedar, a touch of mocha and spice. Silky smooth, polished tannins only enhance the wines sumptuous qualities. Superb length with a long aftertaste of blackberries, liquorice, dark chocolate, toasty vanillin oak and spice.

This wine expresses the essence of the McLaren Vale region. A well-structured full bodied wine with lush berry, chocolate and meaty aromas and flavours and a lengthy finish. Made by highly acclaimed winemaker Ben Riggs.

This is definitive McLaren Vale Shiraz rich and generous in flavour with vibrant pepper and spice on the nose and a typically strong hint of dark chocolate.Little Road is estate-grown by a leading McLaren Vale (and Coonawarra) producer and made by veteran, Jimmy Watson Trophy-winning winemaker Paul Gordon, who matured it for 16 months in mainly French (with some American) oak.