"Matured in 5050% French and American oak for 20 months. It's odd how the co-fermentation of viognier can appear to intensify the regional signature, it's certainly written large here, but there's a spark of fresh fruit with a different pitch to its note. All this adds up to an impressive example of this key wine in the d'Arenberg menagerie." 95 points, James Halliday Wine Companion, October 2016.

The Wild Pixie by d'Arenberg has an unmistakeable connection with the earth from which it emerged, and is the perfect accompaniment to a rustic BBQ cooked over a glowing camp fire on a cold starry night. The flavours and aromas of earth, soot and game perfectly complement the setting. Primary blackberry and mulberry notes appear as the Shiraz develops in the glass. A generous warm wine with an abundance of savoury and dark fruits, completed by a fine emery like tannin trailing to subtle wood spice and vanilla notes.

2016 Clarendon Hills Domaine Clarendon BDX Deep Crimson. A harmonious combination of forrest floor, polished wooden furniture, chocolate shavings with understated blackcurrant and blackberry fruit in what is a very low altitude, reserved expression. As the glass evolves the altitude of perfume slowly rises and a bouquet of cedar, roast almond, leather boot and blackcurrant liqueur finely interlace and create something quite unique and sophisticated. There is careful attention to detail across this finely polished and creamy smooth palate that evidently reflects the 40% Merlot inclusion. Layers of pure black fruit, earthy olive tapenade and subtle degrees of cigar tobacco, roast almond and baking spice nuance throughout this classical styled composition.

WORLDS APART WINES Blewitt Springs Grown on Sands Made With Whole Bunches Grenache, McLaren Vale

The wine has a mouth filling lusciousness, densely packed with generous plum and dark cherry fruit flavours along with subtle floral violet characters and a smack of vanilla underlying the opulent oak expression.

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.

There's a lot to adore about this Cabernet Sauvignon from a beloved family-owned winery. Halliday deemed it worthy of 92 points, and it's picked up four gold medals from Australian wine shows. But if that pedigree doesn't impress you, one sip of this beautiful red will.

Munda Syrah Kaurna Country Blewitt Springs (McLaren Vale) Syrah Munda chooses minimal intervention in the winery, second and third use oak regimes to showcase Munda, and prefers to bottle relatively early to reflect the brightness of their wines. Sourced from grapes grown on Kaurna Country, this Syrah is handpicked, partially destemmed and fermented in wild yeast for 10 days to extract the optimal flavour. Vibrant fruit combines with notes of red flowers, cacao and layers of cooking spice. A medium to full-bodied wine, the Syrah expresses cherry, blueberry, and plum on the palate with the quintessential biscuity tannins of Blewitt Spring lingering on the long finish.

Clarendon Hills is a small family owned winery which produce wine to the highest standard. The shiraz range is a varied as it is outstanding, from the Bakers Gully all the way to the iconic Australis. The Kiandra shows mid-palate depth and balanced complexities watermark the potential life span and enjoyment window for this cuvee. This class is highlighted by its potential to be enjoyed now or cellared confidently for 25 years.