Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz is a terrific McLaren Vale Shiraz with lovely suppleness of texture. Plum aniseed and rich fruit-cake flavours are woven around spicy oak and light lingering tannin.

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.

The nose exhibits aromas of ripe blackberry and dark plum, followed by some licorice and confectionery notes. Full-bodied and possessing a plump texture, the palate delivers rich, juicy flavours of ripe blackberry, dark chocolates, licorice and spice. Soft velvety tannins. Good depth with medium to long aftertaste of blackberry, dark chocolate and spice.

Produced from premium, old vine McLaren Vale fruit, the Angels Share bursts with bramble and blackberry fruit combining some spice nuances and subtle oak. Silky smooth, it showcases all the hallmarks of McLaren Vale Shiraz.

Colour Elderberry, deep and clear at the centre with a cool edge. Bouquet Ripe raspberries, dried herbs, red plums. Cranberry and warm spice. Bay leaf and orange rind lend a fresh, mediterranean edge to the enticingly sweet bouquet. Palate Raspberry coulis and blood orange fill a palate that is vibrant and piquant to its core. Chalk and graphite; energy and tension are enveloped in sandy tannins. A wine with boundless verve, energy and electric personality.

The Hill Block straddles the ridge running through the Chapel Hill estate. The wine was then aged for 19 months in 100% tight grained French oak. The proportion of new oak was kept low to encourage the continued expression of the characters that are unique to the vineyard site.

The Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz is an opulent concentrated and complex style with plenty of spicy fruit and a dash of chocolate. True to the style that Wolf himself made from the very beginning of this now iconic brand, this is very tasty and enjoyable now yet it has the weight and complexity to improve with cellaring.

d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz is a firm favourite with many McLaren Vale Shiraz lovers and for good reason. This is another great example of the rich, full-bodied style with aromas of ripe blackberry and spice that mingle with minty peppery notes. The palate is full-flavoured, supple in texture with a velvety finish.

Intense, textured and showing pure fruit flavours, Jester Shiraz is considered Mitolo's baby G.A.M Shiraz using the same barrels in which the G.A.M was previously aged in. The palate is full of bright, red berry flavours, a subtle herbal character and an overall savoury quality to the finish. Made to be upfront and approachable for early appreciation, the Jester Shiraz delivers excellent quality for the price.