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.

Rich, sweet cherry and blackberry fruits overlay the supple palate. Subtle use of oak adds fine soft tannins to this well-structured wine.

One of the Yarra Valley's up and comers, the Punt Road Shiraz is almost black in colour with aromas of cassis and a whiff of licquorice. A palate of plush plums and blackcurrant follows with flash of peppery spice. Kate Goodman continues to do a stellar job at one of the Yarra Valley's best wineries.

The EJ Shiraz is the jewel in Paxton's organic and biodynamic crown. Awarded 95 points in the Halliday Wine Companion 2017, this wine is the result of low yielding vines that are more than a century old. The flavour is elegant and round and the nose offers vanilla, black current and oak.

Pacha Mama Shiraz enfolds you in her arms. It's elegant, it's got finesse. In the glass its vibrant plum red in colour, with a complex nose of spiced plums and dark chocolate backed with earth and spice. This wine is soft and fleshy and full of all the good dark fruits; plum and blackcurrant. It's seamless in the mouth with juicy fruit favours on the palate. A light tannic structure, vibrant acid and a long savoury finish.

Mitolo Wines is a family owned business, borne of and led by the founder and owner Frank Mitolo's vision; to create a range of wines of individuality, integrity and utmost quality. The G.A.M. is deep purple, the nose is an intense combination of smoked herbs, liquorice and blackcurrants leading to a full bodied palate with notes of cassis and cracked pepper. Premium McLaren Vale at its best.

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.

Leconfield regularly produce fine full flavoured Shiraz. This release from McLaren Vale shows spicy berry-like varietal character with some minty-chocolately regional hints balanced tannins and well judged oak.

The Zema family has a proud history of producing great Coonawarra wines with plenty of regional character. This rich inky offering is redolent of ripe berries with a long satisfying finish.

The Nosey Parker simply delivers in spades. Swathes of sweetly spiced blackberry woven with pencil shaving oak, backed up by a rich, powerfully long palate. The Nosey is a very versatile wine in that it is perfectly suited to be enjoyed on its own or is equally at home when paired with rich and flavoursome cuisine.