Awards & Reviews95 Points - Sam Kim 94 Points - James HallidayDescriptionDescriptionIntense spice, berry and chocolate aromas with integrated oak notes. Full Bodied and bursting with a complex mix of flavours of mocha, vanilla and intense red berry flavours. Great middle palate sweetness with well integrated American oak.Drink now to 15 years.

Trains played a key role in early South Australian history. McLaren Vale was a central stop for passengers on their journey between Melbourne and Adelaide before highways rendered the railways unnecessary. Now, these 'ghost rail lines' are all that's left of the bustling intercity connection; a testament to times past when trains ruled. The rolling stock that sits idle are all that's left; a Train to Nowhere. This Shiraz is a tribute to those trains that carried passengers faithfully between cities. It displays sweet blackberry and Christmas cake aromas, with a full palate of dark fruit and dashes of cinnamon and spice.

Black cherry, sweet spice and dark fruit aromas combine with blackberry and raspberry flavours to give a crisp and approchable wine.

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.

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.

Steve Maglieri's Serafino Sorrento Shiraz, is one the most flavourful McLaren Shiraz's we've seen for quite some time. Spicy and rich on the front palate that then leads to a supreme density consisting of ripe plums and blackcurrants. If you're a McLaren Vale Shiraz lover, this Sorrento Shiraz has your name written all over it.

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

Grenache has always been a cornerstone of d'Arenberg's red wines and this is one of the benchmarks of the variety. Produced from old low yielding vines it is a wine of great character and intensity. Showing none of the sickly confectionery characters that can plague this variety, it's all about elegant, savoury spice.

Church Block first appeared back in 1972 under the watchful eye of Greg Trott and was taken by one of the original vineyards that ran alongside the small Bethany Church, across the road from Wirra Wirra's old ironstone cellars. Over the last 4 decades, it has become one of Australia's favourites. The 2005 Church Block is showing just what a little patience can do. After six years, the velvet texture is the dominant feature with integrated tannin taking a backseat.

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.