d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz is a firm favourite with many McLaren Vale Shiraz lovers and for good reason. This is another great example of the rich, full-bodied style with aromas of ripe blackberry and spice that mingle with minty peppery notes. The palate is full-flavoured, supple in texture with a velvety finish.

From two small vineyards that stood out for their ability to capture true McLaren Vale chocolate, spices and an amazing depth of red fruits and blackberry.

Another impeccably good offering from Chester Osborne combining rich and voluptuous McLaren Vale Shiraz with lifted fragrant Viognier. d'Arenberg is one of the pioneers of this style, the 'Magpie' continues to go from strength to strength.

Ben Riggs has hand-crafted a delicious Shiraz Cabernet Merlot blend here that pays homage to the three-spiked prickle that can be found in the McLaren Vale region and the fact that it's hard to ignore. This unctuous red blend is also extremely hard to ignore with its seamless varietal integration that produces a wine full of richness and opulence. Ripe, dark berry fruits courtesy of Merlot along with spice elements from the Shiraz and a firm, but balanced structure from the Cabernet all come together superbly.

Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Shiraz has a rich and complex bouquet that promises something special and it certainly delivers. The palate is laden with generous plum, blackberry and spice and the length is exceptional. This one is a keeper! More to the savoury side of Shiraz, it is about texture more than just fruit.

Kilikanoons Parable Shiraz showcases the regional expression of McLaren Vale typically showing mocha, coffee and brown spices alongside a core of ripe juicy red fruit with cedar and vanilin characters. The wine is vinified in a traditional manner; small parcels of fruit, are fermented on skins in open top vessels then basket pressed to a mixture of new and seasoned French oak casks for 22 months.

Restrained and supple, lots of ripe dark plum, pepper and spice of Shiraz with the rose petal perfume lift and red cherry taste of Grenache. Lovely lightness and brightness to the back palate with a faint dried herbal and savoury edge, making it terrific immediate drinking but will cellar nicely for 5-10 years.

It is sweetly fragrant and instantly appealing on the nose showing dark and purple fruit aromas together with tar, game, cocoa and spicy oak nuances. The palate is rich, intense and fleshy, displaying excellent power as well as rounded mouthfeel, wonderfully complemented by velvety texture and silky tannins. Impressively flavoursome and very long on the finish with loads of delectable flavours. At its best: now to 2027

This striking shiraz exhibits stunning fruit richness and intensity, showing lifted aromas of blackberry, vanilla, chocolate tart, cedar and smoked game on the nose, leading to a concentrated palate that displays outstanding depth and opulence. It is compelling and symphonic with layers of silky texture and delicious flavours. At its best: now to 2032

Sisters Run is an independently owned and operated winery with a fierce commitment to make the best wines from family vineyards. The label pays reference to talented young winemaker Elena Brooks who wears steel cap boots in the day but carries a pair of high heels in the back of the ute, just in case of emergencies. Lovely aromas of red berries mingle delightfully with spice and black pepper notes. The palate is dry, medium-full bodied and amply rewards the promise of the nose. Suggestions of spice, plus red and black fruit, with a crisp acidity and appropriate tannins keeping everything balanced through the end of the long and tangy finish.