Jean-Luc Colombo has forged an international reputation as one of the most visionary and imaginative winemakers in Frances Rhône Valley and especially in Cornas. Les Terres Brûlées (The Burnt Earths) is the prettilest expression of Syrah from the Cornas appellation. From a mixture of 20 to 60 year old vines this wine is a subtle blend I fulfill each year from different plots. The tannins, powerful but elegant, are softened by a well-managed maturation of two years in oak. The wine of intense ruby colour has aromas of raspberry, liquorice, coffee and a long spicy finish. Linger over this wine with a rib roast of beef and dauphinoise potatoes. Will open in 2 to 3 years, but may be cellared for 15 years. Certified Organic. 100% Syrah.

Deep red with a bright purple edge, Estate Vineyards Syrah '18 has an incredibly inviting fragrance of dark cherry, raspberry, vanilla and allspice. The palate is immediately fullflavoured; a celebration of fresh boysenberry, blueberry, mocha and fine tannin that extends to a long and satisfying finish. With an exquisite level of detail and finesse, Estate Vineyards Syrah '18 is the perfect addition to any occasion. Estate Vineyards Syrah '18 was harvested between 19 March and 17 April 2018 from Te Mata Estate's own vineyards in Hawke's Bay's Bridge Pa and Woodthorpe Terraces Triangle sub-regions. The individual parcels of syrah from each plot were destemmed for fermentation and remained on skins for extended maceration before pressing. It was then run off to a mixture of new and seasoned French oak barrels for five months' maturation, during which time it was regularly topped and racked. The wine received a traditional egg white fining before bottling. Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate remains family owned, producing internationally recognized wines exclusively from its Hawkes Bay vineyards. A temperate maritime climate with low rainfall, due to the rain shadow from mountains to the west, ensures Te Matas sites make the most of every vintage. At the heart of Te Mata Estate are the Havelock Hills Vineyards - the first legally-protected vineyards in New Zealand. Te Mata has five sites on these free draining, north-facing slopes. Soils to the east are mostly sandy loam over a sandstone base, and towards the west are sandy loam over a thin layer of clay and a silica pan. The distinctive shape of the hills is due to their comparative youth, in geological terms. At the meeting point of two tectonic plates, sandstone has been pushed up then worn away relatively quickly leaving a landscape of steep and gentle slopes, and terraces ideal for grape-growing. Under vine for over 120 years, and including some of the oldest grape growing sites in New Zealand, the Havelock Hills are protected for their distinct character, special ambience and unique viticultural heritage.

Clarendon Hills is the living vision of one of the world's greatest Shiraz winemakers, Roman Bratasiuk. The dream was realised in 1990 and is now home to some of the most outstanding and hard to get single vineyard wines in Australia. The Astralis is the flagship wine in the Clarendon Hills portfolio, and while this vineyard is not treated any differently to the others, it garners the most worldwide attention due to its incredible expression and timeless elegance. From an Easterly aspect and planted on a 45 degree ascending slope, Australis has phenomenal varietal length and will repay the patient cellarer for more than 15 years.

Its fair to say Luke Lambert hasn't looked back since 'relocating' his Syrah to the Tibooburra vineyard. This southwest sloping site lies in the southeastern corner of the Valley, near Gembrook, and might be the coolest microclimate of the Yarra. The site is expertly managed by Greg Kerr, the grower who planted the vineyard in 2001. The soils here are considered very unusual for the Yarra, comprising a seam of black volcanic topsoil over yellow clay with a smattering of granite rock throughout. Furthermore, the quality of the clonal material in Tibooburra supplies Lambert with deeper and darker Syrah fruit that also has more depth and structure. This is what drew him to the site and a good chunk of the reason the Syrah has become a touchstone example of cool-climate Yarra Shiraz.

BROKENWOOD WINES HBA Vineyard Selection Shiraz, Hunter-McLaren Vale A museum release after ten years of cellaring at the winery the HBA Shiraz is an exultant blend. An amalgamation of the iconic Graveyard Vineyard from the Hunter Valley (Classified Exceptional) and the Wade Vineyard from Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, where they source their highly rated single vineyard Block 2. Both regions had a warm and dry vintage, allowing the grapes to be picked at full ripeness, providing a beautifully balanced depth of flavour. Expressing sweet earthy notes and dark chocolate on the nose, the oak and fruit integration is seamless on the fine and medium to full-bodied palate, with a refined core of dark fruits and a lengthy finale.