A classic McLaren Vale Cabernet offering up aromas of dark, juicy blackcurrant, cassia bark, toasted anise, sage flower, dusty cedar and worn leather. It is an elegant Cabernet getting more exciting in the glass as it gets some air. A medium to full-bodied wine full of black olive and jubey fruit, firm, fine and textural tannins with spice and comfort redolent of Christmas pudding with warm brandy sauce.

Tintara from South Australia's McLaren Vale represents both history and innovation in McLaren Vale. With a heritage that dates back to 1861 and with a vision to produce contemporary wines, the result are red wines like this Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon. Full of life and vigour with the typical regional chocolate and mocha characters, this McLaren Vale Cab is a perfect little cellar starter or great paired with lamb shanks.

Sourced from a variety of McLaren Vale vineyards, Hardys Tintara Shiraz is an outstanding representation of archetypal McLaren Vale Shiraz. On the palate, the wine is dense and intense, showing ripe plum & dark berry fruits in combination with chocolate, liquorice and tar. Evenly balanced with a plush texture, an abundance of sweet fruit flavour & fine structural tannin provides a wine of classic McLaren Vale richness with juicy bright fruit flavour.

Round yet fine and detailed, this medium bodied wine is brimming with lovely fruit density. Notes of red current, cassis, black cherry, and plum lead the charge, supported by secondary notes of bay leaf, graphite, wet clay and chocolate. Starting early, tannins are savoury in nature and run long through the palate complimented by lovely accents of ash and coal dust. Dense and chewy through to the finish, this wine has excellent length.

Some would say McLaren Vale is the spiritual home of Australian Grenache. We are not about to start arguing when Grenache like this one from Chapel Hill are produced. Generous rich red fruits with smattering of dried herbs and a fleshy mid-palate. There is real concentration and complexity to this wine.

Now sourcing fruit from premium regions across Australia, this Cabernet blend shows varietal mint on the nose with floral notes in the background. The palate has good weight and texture, the flavours of blackcurrant and herb framed by firm tannins.

This wine presents a deep garnet hue. Fragrances of cranberry, red currant, cassis and herbs leap out of the wine glass. The palate shows classic Cabernet elements. Ripe flavours of cherry, cranberry and cassis integrate with vanilla oak and cedar. Balanced by firm tannins, the wine leads to a persistent and mouth filling finale. This wine can be cellared for a period of 6 to 8 years.

Shingleback have always been known for producing quality McLaren Vale wines at some fantastic prices. Take Red Knot for example! Here they re-launched their estate wines under the 'Davey Estate' label and concentrate on single sites. This Cabernet is wonderfully youthful and full of vibrancy. Fresh black fruit with roasted spice and superbly balanced tannins.

Serafino is the winery behind industry icon, Steve Maglieri. Arriving in McLaren Vale in 1968, Steve embarked on a career that has seen his wines win multiple awards across the world. His Cabernet Sauvignon contains fruit that is hand selected from multiple vineyard sites throughout McLaren Vale to deliver a wine that is full-bodied and full of richness. Copious amounts of blackcurrant and blueberry fruit await with supreme textural oak balancing the opulence.

One of the few straight varietals in Australia (Petit Verdot is usually blended with other Bordeaux varieties), the nose displays violets, briary blackberry and a hint of cedar. The palate reveals concentrated spicy plum, cherry and mulberry flavours. Will cellar well.

Chapel Hill makes great value wines in the maritime climate of McLaren Vale. This Shiraz is a beauty. Dark berries and vanillin oak are evident in the bouquet with spice coming through on the palate.