This irresistible black beauty is made from fabulously intense Shiraz and Grenache grapes grown on the craggy hillsides of France's Roussillon region. Look up from the vines and you will see ruins of castles perching precariously on rocky peaks. This inhospitable landscape and these ancient strongholds were home to medieval Cathars who lived in awe of evil god Rex Mundi ('King of the World'). He corrupted the faithful with promises of earthly pleasures and the forbidden delights of mortal flesh. Don't even try to resist, just sip and enjoy this lusciously ripe, juicy marriage of liquorice scented Shiraz and lush, silken Grenache. Gloriously easy to quaff on its own, it also goes well with barbecued meats, Cajun chicken or lamb chops.

A striking creature with a most lustful heart, the night is her ally in performing her craft. She strives to obtain a ruby red treasure, of unsurpassed beauty and value past measure. A calling in life, her great reason to live, she takes what she wants but chooses to give. Adrian Hoffmann is the source of the Mourvèdre and Grenache. Old vines, big flavour, just what you would expect from his Ebenezer vineyards. The other part - the Shiraz - has come from Redheads' long-time partner in crime John Kalleske over in Koonunga. Bright, lifted red fruit aromas of sweet cherry and plum combined with floral and turkish delight characters. Subtle savoury notes, dark morello cherry and red plum characters. A mid-weight GSM with softly woven tannins.

With his wines acclaimed by critics worldwide, Diffonty is a household name in the southern Rhône. Fine wine expert and Rhône fan Robert Parker described the Diffonty Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf wines as “full-bodied, powerful, rich and oozing unmistakable Provençal character”. Comprising mostly Grenache supported by a little Syrah, the Réserve de l’Abbé is made by Jean-Marc with as much care and attention as he affords his top reds. Using grapes from just outside the Châteauneuf boundary, the wine was fermented in traditional wooden and also stainless steel vats before blending and bottling. It’s sumptuous and velvety, with warming red berry and wild herb complexity. Best decanted early, the wine’s ideal served with a hearty casserole.

Hervé Sabardeil, our winemaker with limitless talent, has been making Cabalié, the big, ripe Catalan red, for over 15 years. He added the old-vine (Vieilles Vignes) edition in 2011, originally as a one off, but it was so popular we insisted he did it again. And again! The magic to this punchy red is really in the vines. At 60 to 100-years-old, yields are minute (about half of a Grand Cru claret). As a rule of thumb, the smaller the yield, the more concentrated the fruit, the more flavoursome the wine! That’s why we call it Cabalié’s Big Brother. Still made in the same style that was beloved by the Roman centurions and now our customers too, it packs even more flavour than the original. Ideal with garlic-roasted lamb, rich stews or cheese.

First made back in 1997 and still definitely one of the sentimental favourites in the Kilikanoon portfolio, the Prodigal continues to set the standard for Clare Valley old-vine Grenache. Each fruit parcel was harvested and kept separate throughout the winemaking process until final assemblage. A fresh and lively palate, yet dark and brooding at the same time, the combination of ripe cherries, dark chocolate, kitchen spices and kirsch perfectly in sync with the fine chalky tannins and oak influences rounding out to a long flavoursome finish.

Very deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Elevated liquorice and blackberry aromas meld with vanillin cedar, earth and pepper. Rich and lush with a velvety feel, opulent liquorice and blackberry fruits overlay a back drop of black raspberry, scorched earth and blackpepper. Excellent concentration. Slightly chewy tannins concluding with a long spicy black fruited aftertaste. Drink over the next 3-4 years. Alc. 14%

McLaren Vale is arguably home to Australia's finest Grenache, a grape whose popularity is very definitely on the rise. This is a succulent beauty from the very popular Black Pig family. It's always fun when any member of The Black Pig family come to call – especially when it's as attractive and vibrant as this one!