This Central Ranges Merlot compares very nicely to others of many times the price. The taste on the front palate is juicy and grapey, brimming with plum flavours bridled nicely to a gently astringent finish; serving to shape the flavours as much as drive the wine to a satisfying length. Perfect with lamb and game.

Recognised as one of the first vineyards in the Hunter Valley, Audrey Wilksonson has a long and storied history in the region. They continue today to produce wines of region character with fine craftsmanship. Their Hunter Valley Shiraz is a wine in perfect harmony. Majority French oak is used to mature a wine that has flavours of intense cherries and violets overlapping powerful mulberry and that traditional Hunter character of forest floor and earth.

This Shiraz showcases why the Hunter does medium weight, savoury fruit reds better than most. Its a style you can enjoy now or even slightly chilled down in the warmer months. In the glass: Deep red black.On the nose: Bright red cherry with attractive hints of leather and five spice. On the palate: A terrific core of ripe red fruit with supple tannins, creamy depth and complexity and lovely oak and spice integration. A lively, well made, medium-bodied red savoury and soft throughout.

The fruit for the 2016 Vat 9 Shiraz was sourced from Tyrrells super premium vineyards on the Ashmans property with an average vine age of 50 years. Predominately from the Weinkeller and Short Flat vineyards. Winemaking The blocks were all hand picked and sorted in the vineyard before arriving at the winery. All the fruit was then destemmed but not crushed, followed by fermentation in traditional open top concrete vats. After fermentation the wiens were matured in newer 2700L French oak casks for ten months.

Deep yet bright mulberry purple in colour, this Hunter Cabernet – Merlot is a charmer. The aromas show loads of energy, with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon providing fresh florality, opening with briarberry and raspberry. These perfumes open out to deeper signatures of crème cassis and mint, plus subtle background support of vanilla and menthol from fine French oak. Cabernet is supreme on the palate too, delivering long, focussed flavours of raspberry and cranberry with hints of olive. 20% Merlot contributes roundness and depth throughout, with spiced plum silkiness that adds body and softness onto the finish. Tannins are powder-soft, showing the plush satin-like harmony of deluxe French barrel. This elegantly structured blend is definitely a keeper, and will take several years of cellaring to open out. Decanting is ideal if drinking earlier.

This is a rich red wine displaying layers of red and blue fruits that are well complemented by sweetness ands tructure from the oak barrels. The presence of fine tannins and spicy notes contributes to the seamless palate, delivering a wine of greater character, intensity and balance. The wine is ready for immediate drinking but also has excellent potential for careful cellaring up to 10+ years.

David Hook's Shiraz is medium bodied, some vibrant characters of spicy red berries and soft rounding tannins with hints of vanilla oak on the palate. Ripe fruits richness with a lengthy finish. A great number to have handy when friends drop by.

Dark cherry, black brambly fruits and subtle oak spice. Dark berries packed around spicy oak, fine acidity and silky tannins.

Excellent colour and mid-density. Being 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Shiraz it is more of the classic Aussie blend Cabernet/Shiraz. Lifted dark fruit and cedar notes on the nose. A rich mouthfeel from the McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Fine tannins with the oak very much in the background ensuring great drinkability.