One of the great wines of Australia, Hunter Shiraz is powerful as it is subtle. Everything is in balance: Pure ripe blackberry fruit flavours, some spice and earthy characters and round soft tannins.

The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for this wine is sourced from the Cookoothama Vineyard on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River at Darlington Point in the Riverina. Deep red in appearance with a youthful purple hue. Aromas of plum and blackberry, infused with hints of spice, herbs and dark chocolate. Concentrated flavours of red berry fruits, mocha and spice with ripe silky tannin and well integrated oak.

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.

Audrey Wilkinsons Merlot is a mellow, easy approaching style that is packed with ripe plum aromas and subtle oak. It is matured in French and American oak for 18 months, giving the wine soft tannins and a flavoursome finish.

What the Hunter Valley and David Hook does so very well - meduim bodied reds that have good savoury length and nice integrated tannins.

The 2015 De Iuliis Steven Vineyard Shiraz shows a deep crimson colour with a purple hue and contains 13% of alcohol. Intense aromas of berry, spice and pepper flow from the vibrant bouquet while the palate is rich and juicy with flavours of black cherries, ending the wine in a captivating climax. This Shiraz varietal develops strong fruit characters with a cellaring period of 10 years and tastes best with slow cooked lamb shoulder and BBQ pork.