Tempus Two Merlot is deliciously ripe, lovely flavours of mulberry fruit with some earthiness and spice. Soft tannins complement the finish.

What the Hunter Valley and David Hook does so very well - meduim bodied reds that have good savoury length and nice integrated tannins.

PIERRE JEAN VILLA Esprit d'Antan Syrah, Collines Rhodanienn

The 864 range features exceptional wines from specific and single blocks, produced in small quantities and released in only the best years. An Oakridge 864 wine is terroir-driven, made to demonstrate the importance of time and place with every bottle, and always a tribute to tradition. The 864 Syrah is sourced from the Oakridge Vineyard, Close Planted Block. This vineyard is east-facing at 120 metres above sea level. Planted at 5,200 plants per hectare in the grey alluvial loams of Coldstream using the R6VW28 clone and cropped at 6.7 t/Ha. The wine is vibrant purple in appearance with a ruby hue. Opulently fruited on the nose, with aroma of dragonfruit, blueberry and plum leading to notes of cassis. Elements of black olive, green pepper, bunch spice and toast add complexity. The palate is expansive, textural and concentrated with a generous core of blue and purple berried fruits, long chains of plush velvety tannins are intricately woven within the fruit providing length and supportive structure. A subtle line of acid keeps the wine on point, never wavering. Pure, succulent and refined from start to finish.

One of the best known producers of the Rhone Valley is Paul Jaboulet Aine. They produce an array of high quality wines from various appellations within the Rhone. Fine and delicate, Saint-Josephs wines were already on the market in the16th Century. They were appreciated at the table of the kings of France.Made from 100% syrah, the Jaboulet St Joseph exudes a ruby red colour with light purple reflections.This Saint Joseph has an expressive nose with floral and gourmet notes, chocolate and coffee. On the palate, we find a nice acidity that carries the whole length and a good structure with fine tannins.

From Orange in NSW, this Shiraz is a good introduction to the qualities of this emerging area. It shows aromas of plum and spices and the palate is all about the fruit with little intrusive oak.