Mclaren Vale is known to produce shiraz grapes that are extremely small, giving them a high skin to pulp ratio. This goes on to provide an rich and complex wine with signature softness and a supple tannin finish, proving that you can infact be small, yet mighty.

An industry veteran in value for money in the sparkling red category, Andrew Garrett is still holding its own among the dozens of more recent offerings. Good red fruit flavour and balance

Your quest for the best sub-$20 Merlot is over. One of McLaren Vale's most explosive producers of the past 10-15 years is offered here on an silver platter. Everything you love about Merlot in one bottle; luscious black fruits with soft cuddly tannins and hints of spiced coffee.

Chapel Hill's Michael Fragos loves using The Parson Shiraz to showcase McLarenVale's diversity and varietal character. The Shallow soils over livestone in maritime influenced vineyards between McLaren Vale and Masline Beach and also around Bowering Hill, provide explosive blueberries and liquorice with finesse and a wonderfully framing tannin structure. Up in the foothills of the Mount Lofty ranges, a Kangarilla vineyard offers Indian spice complexities that many higher priced wines would simply love to have. The added length and savoury tannins of this component and the use of some French oak result in a beguiling final release that is extraordinary.

Sitting proudly next to the iconic Woodhenge gate at Wirra is a classic Aussie residence. Originally built after severe storms destroyed the winery buildings in 1940, the then owners, the Sparrows, built this residence with left over materials from the fallen winery. Over the years, Sparrow's Lodge has been home to vintage vagabonds and the occasional winemaker and it is the good times that have been had within its walls that is celebrated in this wonderful, rich, vibrant and full-bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz.

The Red Knot Shiraz is set to enshrine this label among the all time bargain greats in Australian wine. Following the ground breaking previous releases, the mass following for this wine is guaranteed to continue. Deep blackberry concentration swathed in supporting red fruits, dark plums, complex spices, and definitely more aniseed in this edition. A Shiraz lover's delight in every way possible!

McLaren Vale reds are known for generosity of fruit. Red Knot Cabernet, with it's cassis, dark berried characters and a lingering finish, has the added bonus of being terrific value for money.

Since 1912 the Osborn family have tended vineyards in McLaren Vale, South Australia. Today, fourth generation family member Chester makes distinctive wines using traditional and sustainable methods in the vineyard and winery. Small batches of grapes undergo 10 days of carbonic maceration, then are gently crushed and immediately drained to finish fermentation in stainless steel. Stranded starfish have no place to hide. It'll be those that gave their island to survive; drink up, dreamers, you're running dry.

The Black Chook is another fantastic 'big fruit' style from Ben Riggs. The nose is complex with aromas of black cherries and violets and the palate is rich and spicy with great mouth feel and excellent length.

Produced from low yielding, hand harvested vines and made using traditional techniques, D'Arry's Original is a smooth, textured, full bodied red which typifies the generous McLaren style. Always one of those little cellar stars that you can buy up a case or two, hide under the house for a decade and be quietly content that d'Arry's Original will be shining in a decade.