The Col Cross Story Somewhere in McLaren Vale youll find a very special block of old vine Shiraz. If you search for it, an olive grove to the west and an ancient chapel will be your guide. The shallow soils overlying a bedrock of limestone and the gentle sea breezes consistently provide us with fruit of exception quality. Dense, classic Shiraz characters of blackberry and dark cherry mesh seamlessly with spicy anise and cedary French oak. A concentrated palate of generous dark fruits and black cherry, the old vines contribute complex spices, cinnamon and nutmeg. A full bodied mouth filling wine that is perfectly balanced by a lingering structural finish.

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.

The Jim Barry McCrae Wood is a fine example of the bold Clare Valley Shiraz style. Intense and concentrated, it is well worth putting away for five years at least!

Château Phélan-Ségur continue to challenge the very best unclassified wines of Saint-Estèphe with a line of impressive vintages after a ownership change in the mid 1980s. Phélan makes fine, long lasting Bordeaux's dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with a third of the blend being Merlot. The wine has been no more fine than the 2009 release which is probably the best wine from Phélan-Ségur for the past 20 or so years. Swathes of depth with deep concentrated purple and blue fruits that will see the wine live comfortably for the next 10-15 years.

Elderton's Command Shiraz is one old school Barossa Shiraz. Named because of the special treatment the quality fruit 'commanded', this is a Shiraz of foreboding concentration. The fruit for this 'Excellent' Langton's classified Australian icon comes from the century old Elderton vineyard located on the banks of the Para River and is matured in a mixture of French and American oak. This allows the wine to retain its driven power while also giving the wine a level of complexity and balance unique to this region and producer. Elderton's Command can be enjoyed by lovers of ripe and rich fruit early, yet will reward the truly patient with a wine of true beauty when left alone to mature for a decade.

St Hallett Old Block Shiraz, first vintage 1980, is a stalwart of the Barossa and a stalwart of Langton's Classification of Australian Wine. A blend of oldvine Shiraz (average age 90 years) from key sites in the Barossa and Eden Valleys, Old Block is one of Barossas finest.

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.

Wynns Michael Shiraz is a 'best-of-vintage' Shiraz from Wynns vineyard sites in Coonawarra and is named after David Wynn's youngest son. Made in the years that best show Coonawarra's unique terroir, this latest release displays the qualities that have made the 'Michael' one of the most highly regarded of all Australian Shiraz with aromas of red currants, cherries and raspberry that mesh every so well with the olive and white spice characters. The palate follows with an elegant structure bursting with dark brooding spice and succulent ripe tannins.