Some would say McLaren Vale is the spiritual home of Australian Grenache. We are not about to start arguing when Grenache like this one from Chapel Hill are produced. Generous rich red fruits with smattering of dried herbs and a fleshy mid-palate. There is real concentration and complexity to this wine.

This alluring and unashamedly bold Shiraz has hints of spiced plums, blackberry jam and cherry all at the fore and finishes with coffee cream, licorice and vanilla. Full bodied with vibrant berry fruit characteristics, yet elegant with restrained tannins, resulting in a soft mouthfeel. This Boxer is sure to be a knockout!

Finisterre: [Ends of the Earth] – focussing on single-variety, single-region wines with an emphasis on selected special sites that display our preferred characteristics. Hand-harvesting, fruit sorting and intuitive winemaking delivers small-parcel wines with clarity, purity, great texture and flavour expression. ANDREW (SANDY) OATLEY

In 1991, Tahbilk husband and wife team of winemaker Alister Purbrick and artist Rosa Dal Farra decided to combine their talents to produce a range of alternative varietal wines showcased under Rosas boldest art works. Now widely known and made, these varieties validate the foresight Tahbilk had.

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.

Kay Brothers from McLaren Vale tread that delightful line between tradition and innovation perfectly. A rich and deep history in the region has seen them settle on some of best vineyard land in the region which helps produce juicy, pleasure-filled wines like this Basket Pressed Grenache. Lifted colours of purple and dark crimson in the glass give a preview to the layers of brambly fruit on the nose. Copious amounts of plush redcurrants and raspberry on the palate with a silken mouthfeel due to elegant tannin and bright acidity.

While certainly lighter, more elegant, and a different style to that of some of previous years, the 2011 vintage is one of the greatest Grenache vintages Yangarra has ever produced. The white pepper spice is telling of such a cool year, and is married with bright cherries and raspberry alongside complex hints of liquorice, chicory and cured meats. The tannins are fine and delicate, and the acidity alike.

Full, rich, well-structured displaying blackcurrant, mulberry and raspberry fruit characters. Beresford Estate MLV Cabernet Sauvignon displays great length and depth of flavour supported by subtle, well integrated oak and fine tannins.

Made by Corrina Wright, a sixth generation member of the Oliver family, this is McLaren Vale Shiraz to the extreme. There's bold chocolate and blackberry flavours, a hint of pepper and smokey overtones. The alcohol sits at the higher end of the spectrum and there's plenty of vanilla oak, but the fruit intensity pulls it all together to produce a superbly balanced wine.