Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier began its life after a career defining trip to the Côte-Rôtie in the mid 90s which set Tim Kirk on the journey towards producing one of Australia's best Shiraz. Determined to show that Australia could produce elegant but still powerful Shiraz, Tim's work has paid off with his flagship being acclaimed worldwide. In only 15 years, the Shiraz Viognier has attained 'Exceptional' status with Langton's, the highest possible.

McLaren Vale is well known for its ability to make full bodied red wines, in particular concentrated Shiraz, and this deluxe wine is a perfect example.Deep, dark red. Plum, cherry compote and cedar oak aromas. Ripe, dense and juicy with loads of dark berry, plum and rum and raisin chocolate, ripe velvety tannins and toasty coconut oak. A deluxe wine from the start to the long, seamless finish.

St Henri is a time-honoured and alternative expression of shiraz, and an intriguing counterpoint to Grange. It is unusual amongst high quality Australian red wines as it does not rely on any new oak. Released for the first time by Penfolds in the early 1950s (first commercial vintage 1957), it gained a new lease of life in the 1990s as its quality and distinctive style became better understood. Proudly, a wine style that hasnt succumbed to the dictates of fashion or commerce. St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters with age. It is matured in an assortment of old large vats that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character. Although a small proportion of cabernet may sneak into the blend, the focal point for St Henri remains shiraz.

Taylors St Andrews Shiraz from the Clare Valley is a classic and is consistently a show-stopper. The bouquet shows rich plum and cherry fruit with earthy spice and the palate is perfectly balanced with soft silky tannins.

Teusner Albert Shiraz is made from old vines in the northern Barossa; rich black fruits and tarry cassis with smoky undertones, the finish is long and luscious. Could easily be cellared for the medium term.

Flavabom Vine Dried Shiraz delivers flavour with depth and concentration. Single vineyard, the vine-dried Shiraz grapes grown in the estate's soils, are the backbone to this intense style of this beautiful red. The integration of flavours, tannins and fruits, are hit with a judicious lashing of oak for a real flavour kick. Flavabom keeps its promise.

Colour is deep red. The nose shows aniseed, tar, FruChocs and spicy oak. The fine palate entry has mulberry, cranberry, aniseed and liquorice flowing delicately with Rhone-like spicy, chewy, savoury tannins.

Coming from one of the best vintages in recent Barossa history, the Old Block from St Hallett shows what careful vineyard management can do for a wine. Rich, dark and conerntrated but with seamless tannin intergration.

'One of Australia's highest quality single vineyard wines. The core has liqueur cassis qualities that are supported by fine velvet tannins that run with terrific length and tenacity. A wine for the discerning hedonist.' - Andrew Woodforth, Vintage Cellars Spit Junction. 'Now listed in the "exceptional" category of the Langton's Classification VI, this landmark red of the region hits you with wow-moment fruit, vibrant to the max and an OTT intensity rating. French oak adds a clove-like spice while the juicy core centres around super-concentrated raspberry rich flavours, the finish seems to last forever. Its history is profound and its cellar potential huge.' 5 Stars - Adelaide Advertiser, 14 May 2014, by Tony Love.