The Author pays homage to pioneering vigneron John Riddoch (1827 - 1901). A true visionary, Riddoch is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Australian wine. An influential figure, he established the Coonawarra fruit colony in 1890 and is synonymous with the region's story. The Author represents the finest expression of the vintage. Dark red in colour with a vibrant crimson hue, the wine shows ripe red berry fruit and plum flavours with hints of spice. Matured in new and seasoned French oak hogsheads, the seamlessly integrated oak intertwines with a core of intense dark fruit. Plush, velvety tannins lead to a long and persistent length of flavour. This has all the hallmarks of a classic Coonawarra Shiraz and will drink well now but will reward patient cellaring for 10 to 15 years.

Our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon brims with ripe, concentrated aromas of black currant and blackberry with a roasted coffee and mocha background, underscored by threads of faint floral notes. This wines lush core of bright blackberry, cherry and red currant are complemented by expressive toasted notes on the mid-palate. The finish is full of lingering flavours of vanilla, caramel, toffee, tobacco and spice. Firmly textured tannins with fresh, balanced acidity make this Cabernet the perfect pairing for port-braised beef short ribs topped with mint leaves.

A stylish blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a touch of Shiraz and Petit Verdot, from low yielding vineyards have produced another wine of elegance and class. Blackberry, mint and tobacco flavours are framed by fine tannin. The Shiraz adds some supple softness and the Petit Verdot adding aromatic lift. Another triumph!

Created in 1962, Penfolds Bin 128 is a regional wine that reflects the unique climate and growing conditions of South Australia's Coonawarra district and the relatively elegant style of cool climate Shiraz. From the 1980 vintage, French oak replaced American, highlighting the pepper, spice and floral characteristics that define this style. Since the mid-1980s, a greater attention has been paid to fruit ripeness, resulting in a wine that is fuller in style and structure.

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.

Katnook Prodigy Shiraz is a wonderful example of great Coonawarra Shiraz. Savoury spice and dark berry fruits with a hint of white pepper. An elegant wine with medium intensity and great length. Amazingly concentrated for current drinking, the Prodigy will benefit for over decade in the cellar.

S.R.S. stands for Sub Regional Series. Carefully selected individual grape varieties that excel within a certain sub-region. These wines represent the very best varietal wines under the Flametree label and will only be made in the best vintages, volumes will be small and availability very limited. Exceptional in quality, complexity and finesse. It shows all the perfume and structure that make Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon wines so famous. Lifted blackberries, mulberry, plums, earth and dark chocolate dominate the nose and palate at this early stage. Whilst showing plenty of inky dark fruits, violets and bitter chocolate. The palate also displays wonderful fruit and oak tannin, the result of 16 months oak maturation.

This wine shows the style of the vintage and quite likely the impact of the small crop. In such years, Cabernet Sauvignon in particular, has a complex but somewhat subdued nose, where the wine hints of the underlying power and complexity but takes years to reveal its true colours. So here we see smouldering red currant, black currant and mulberry, with a floral, violet lift, sitting over cedar and tar. On the palate there is concentration and length - dark fruits combining with firm tannin and leather and tarry notes.