Its fair to say Luke Lambert hasn't looked back since 'relocating' his Syrah to the Tibooburra vineyard. This southwest sloping site lies in the southeastern corner of the Valley, near Gembrook, and might be the coolest microclimate of the Yarra. The site is expertly managed by Greg Kerr, the grower who planted the vineyard in 2001. The soils here are considered very unusual for the Yarra, comprising a seam of black volcanic topsoil over yellow clay with a smattering of granite rock throughout. Furthermore, the quality of the clonal material in Tibooburra supplies Lambert with deeper and darker Syrah fruit that also has more depth and structure. This is what drew him to the site and a good chunk of the reason the Syrah has become a touchstone example of cool-climate Yarra Shiraz.

Made by Rockstar winemaker Ben Riggs, the McLaren Vale Shiraz is as true an expression as one could hope for. The fifth release of the wine is based around a core of pristine fruit with dark red berries, hints of spice, earth, tar and leather and with seamlessly integrated oak. Ripe tannins are apparent but not overwhelming, meaning this is a wine which can be enjoyed now or in the next 10-15 years.

Classically pale in the glass, Nebbiolo is a deceptive and beautiful wine by Pizzini. The nose is all allure and seduction with classic, deep rose petal perfume, plenty of anise-scented spice and bright red fruits. The palate's deep, juicy and mouth-filling red cherry and plum flavours run on sturdy tannins, laced with liquorice and finishing bright.

Farnese Edizione gives a very deep garnet red colour. The nose is intense and persistent with notes of cherry and blackcurrant, herbs, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, liquorice and hints of mineral. The palate has great structure, good balance between alcohol and freshness, velvety tannins, very persistent with a long finish, ready to drink, or can be put in the cellar for a few years.

Though part of the Barossa, the Eden Valley is a slightly cooler climate than the neighbouring Barossa Valley, so generally produce Shiraz that is slightly more elegant in style. That said, the Eden Hall Shiraz is a wine that is not only rich, vibrant and full of life today, it will also hang in for the long haul.

Ray Nadeson and his richly textured wines have commanded a very strong following of lovers of medium bodied, sophisticated and immaculately made wines. His Heathcote Shiraz is a lovely, generous and spicy Shiraz that has layers of complexity and a length the envy of most.

A great Margaret River Shiraz with temperate ripening conditions promoting fruit intensity, richness and fine tannins. The palate is restrained and balanced with flavours of plum and aniseed spice.

The inspiration from the Barossas best old vine Grenache vineyards created Annexus, an addition to the John Duval's Plexus blend. Annexus is a small unique blend selected from their best old low yielding Grenache vineyards, made only in the best years.

Petaluma Merlot is medium body with a brick red colour, the superbly perfumed bouquet is a tangle of marzipan, spice, plum and confectionery and is the best nose of the early Petalumas. On the palate, flavours of cherry, plum and spice emerge, with very good depth and complexity.

Dog Point is responsible for some of Marlborough's best Pinot noir. This release has lifted aromas of dark cherries stone fruit and violets. The palate is rich and complex with a supple velvety texture.