On the nose, we find a broad depth of dark and red fruits, concentrated plums and blackberry supported by a backbone of elegant oak with underlying nuances of cedar and spice. Fruit carries through on the palate with luscious berry fruits and graphite, with amazing structure from the red clay soil. Fine, velvety tannins carry through on the lengthy finish. Will benefit from decanting. Drinks well now, or will benefit from cellaring for a further 10 plus years.

From the sculptural, low yielding Hilder Mataro vines - believed to be 145 year old ancestor vines that have survived two world wars - comes Z Wines' inaugural release of a straight Mataro. This biodynamic vineyard is worthy of producing a single varietal fruitful and earthy Mataro. This minimal intervention wine was hand picked, wild fermented, basked pressed and spent only 8 months in high quality oak, including 20% new French oak. On the nose, herbal notes as well as spice, licorice and leather are evident. The dark fruits (plums and ripe cherry) take a back seat, but positively add to the interesting bouquet. Characters from the nose follow through to the palate, which is balanced and structured. The flavours are dominated by savoury herbal and leathery characteristics with background ripe forest fruits. The chalky acidity and tannins are prominent and very much a testament to the high quality fruit. You will find divine length and lingering flavours.

KRONDORF The Honorary Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley

Rockford Basket Press Shiraz has garnered a unique and cult following over its lifetime. With its 'old school' brown glass bottle and traditional label, Rockford Basket Press is one for the traditionalists. Big, bold and upfront fruit with all the lashings of chocolate, coffee bean and Christmas cake all have come to adore.

Powell & Son Brennecke Seppeltsfield Barossa Valley Grenache Powell & Son (first vintage 2014) is the venture of Barossa Valley legend Dave Powell and his son Callum. This Grenache comes from organically-grown vines that date back to the early 1900s on a site in the north-western corner of the Seppeltsfield sub-district of the Barossa Valley. The Brennecke vineyards dry-grown, untrellised bush vines are anchored in heavy red clay over limestone subsoils. These factors translate to excellent palate structure and a firm tannin backbone in the finished wine. The wine is multi-layered with complex flavours red fruits, cedar, spices, hints of vanilla and cinnamon. The palate typically shows a sleek tannin profile supporting a red-fruited core of cherry and cranberry. Maturation in 100% new French oak barriques also makes a contribution. This is a powerful Grenache style with an opulent feel, ripe, fruit-sweet spice and a long finish. It is concentrated but typically has an appealing underlying freshness.

SOUL GROWERS Gobell Single Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley

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.