Krondorf 121 Settlers Barossa Valley Shiraz The 121 Settlers Old Vine Shiraz is sourced from a single site at the cooler southern extremity of Barossa, in St. Jakobi, abutting the western ridge of the Lyndoch sub-zone. Here, a conflation of red clay and loam promotes earlier ripening, a mitigating factor against inclement weather and the growing risk of early season frosts that Climate Change has foisted upon us. As importantly these dense soils imbue the wines with a firm tannic carriage, ensuring passage to greater complexity in the cellar, while serving as a structural harness for typically exuberant Barossan fruit. The average age of the vines is in excess of 35 years, with gnarled octogenarian survivors among them. Yields are inherently low as the established root systems reach deep below the soils substrata in search of water and the requisite nutrients drawn through it. Yet the fruit that is produced is immaculate: vibrant, concentrated and firmly stamped with the regional postcode of generosity. The winemaking is dutifully sensitive, chaperoning the fruit from vineyard to bottle with minimal intrusion: gravity feeds, gentle pigeage and 16-18 months in used, rather than new, oak. The result is one of dark fruit allusions from plum to blackberry, underlain by a potpourri of spice including black pepper, clove and star anise, all melded to a pungent thread of mineral. The oak is apparent, but only as an adjunct to propel the finish long. As with many Barossan greats, the fruit weight allows for early appeal, albeit, this is a wine that will easily cellar for 15 years onwards.

ALKINA Old Quarter Grenache Shiraz Mataro, Barossa Valley Alkina Old Quarter - a Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro blend. This is the purest expression of the character of our Greenock vineyard, our soils and our oldest vines, with minimal wine making intrusion. Made in very small quantities.

WOLF BLASS WINES Platinum Label Medlands Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley

At the foot of the iconic Kaiserstuhl mountain, the early Silesian settlers of the Barossa constructed a stone altar a sanctuary for prayer in their new homeland. The Krondorf Stone Altar Shiraz is a tribute to the settlers resourcefulness and resilience, which helped these old resilient vines. This 2020 vintage sources its grapes from a very small plot of elegantly aged and interesting vines in the Barossa sub-region of Ebernezer. Crafted by Head Winemaker Nick Badrice, the Krondorf Stone Altar Grenache is all about precision and focus; with concentrated aromas of black cherries with intense earthy and aniseed character leading to a palate of bramble and spice with freshly cut fig, lovely freshness and structure from subtle notes from new and seasoned premium oak barrels. Elegantly poised, with wonderful freshness. Held back for flavour development before release.

HENSCHKE Marble Angel Vineyard Cabernet, Barossa Valley

Dark red in colour. This wine has a complex nose of dark fruits, blueberry, herbs, spice & pepper. The palate is diverse and fine with dark plum & black fruits all to the fore in this rich & succulent wine that will age well into the future.

As the custodian of some of the world's oldest Grenache vines, Marco Cirillo has been called the guru of Grenache! The 1850s Grenache, as the name suggests, has fruit that comes from vines that date back over 160 years. Truly remarkable flavours of red fruit, earth and leather notes. An old world feel comes from a glass of this new world Grenache.

This Two Hands Shiraz is full bodied but very buoyant. Bright flavours are lifted and accented by notes of fresh blue and blackberry with hints of plum. Creamy complexity through the palate adds depth and interesting texture. Palate has great depth and a coating nature but doesnt feel heavy. Tannins start mid-palate and leave a lovely rolling chewy nature. Spicy through the finish with vanilla and sweet baking spices.

The Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz is a relatively new addition to the Penfolds stable, sourced from the Barossan sub-district, Marananga. Simply a revelation, this wine is an inky, black beast in the glass with lashings of dark chocolate and coffee accented fruit, yet this years offering shows a lingering, soft structured finish that will see the wine cellar very nicely.