$100 and over
Chris Ringland Hoffmann Vineyard Shiraz
The Hoffmann Vineyard wine is the result of close collaboration between winemaker Ringland and his friend, grape-grower Adrian Hoffmann, whose vineyard holdings occupy key sites in the Ebenezer sub-region of the northern Barossa. Robert Parker himself calls Ringland an international grandmaster of Shiraz. The Hoffmann Vineyard Shiraz is a tête de cuvée (literally head of the blend) style. Key parts of the vineyard, with vines between 60 and 100+ years old, are picked at different stages of ripeness, resulting in five separate two-tonne grape parcels ultimately filling 20 barrels. The final wine is a selection of the best four barrels. The annual make will never exceed 200 dozen. Its an essence-of-Shiraz style uncompromisingly rich and concentrated. The first vintage was 2006 and the wine has begun building a track record that will inevitably match that of the Barossa Ranges wine. Right now, you need to decant it 12 hours (or more) before serving to allow the fruit to come to the fore.
Henschke Hill of Roses
Glen Eldon Twisted Trunk Barossa Valley Shiraz
GIBSON Australian Old Vine Collection Shiraz
Gibson Australian Old Vine Collection Shiraz, Barossa Made with vines from the Barossa Old Vine Charter, winemaker Rob Gibsons Australian Old Vine Collection project has produced wines of integrity and excellence. Aiming to vinify grapes from original Centenarian and Ancestor vines, the wine is low in production but high in quality and accolades. The Old Vine Barossa Shiraz was an inaugural recipient of the Barossa Trust Mark.
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier began its life after a career defining trip to the Côte-Rôtie in the mid 90s which set Tim Kirk on the journey towards producing one of Australia's best Shiraz. Determined to show that Australia could produce elegant but still powerful Shiraz, Tim's work has paid off with his flagship being acclaimed worldwide. In only 15 years, the Shiraz Viognier has attained 'Exceptional' status with Langton's, the highest possible.
Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz
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.
Wendouree Shiraz
Wendouree has achieved cult status with its tiny production from ancient vines. Luscious dark berry Shiraz fruits and some meaty characters run through the full-bodied palate with ripe tannins.
Wendouree Clare Valley Shiraz
Tony and Lita Bradys spectacularly individual Wendouree Shiraz has remained true to its origins since Alfred Percy Birks planted vines in 1893. It is considered by many as one of Australias greatest Shirazes. The vineyard is tiny, with low-yielding, beautifully formed old vines, many from the original plantings. Low input viticulture, laissez faire winemaking and maturation in about 1/3 new oak allows the wine to speak of place. These are dense, strongly flavoured wines with beautifully intense varietal fruit, massive concentration and a hallmark muscular sinewy tannin structure. The overall mass of fruit sweetness complements the toughness of the wine. Wendouree Shiraz will age for a long period of time maintaining prominent tannin structures but evolving further complexity and interest.
WENDOUREESHIRAZ
A spectacularly individual wine, Wendouree Shiraz typically possesses a core of blackberry black olive aromas with complex iodine, wet bitumen, animal hide characters. The low-yielding beautifully formed old Shiraz vines, tortured and serpentine (many from the original plantings), are unique, producing small berries with thick skins and a very high seed content. The fruit is vinified in stainless steel lined open fermenters. Maturation takes place in roughly 20 percent new oak for around a year. Although there is clarity and buoyancy of fruit on the palate, the tannins are rusty and vice-like. It has been described as "an iron fist in velvet glove" type wine. Bottled under screw cap from the 2009 vintage.
Wild Duck Creek Wild Duck Creek Shiraz Reserve –
Indulge in the opulence of Wild Duck Creek Shiraz Reserve 2019, a 750mL icon from Heathcote, Victoria. Crafted from the estate’s Springflat vineyard with select bunch picks, this Shiraz is made with meticulous care—hard cane pruning, shoot thinning, and up to 50% whole bunches in the ferment to enhance texture. Matured for 23 months in 100% new French oak barriques, it boasts a deep, glass-staining red-purple hue. The bouquet is savoury and oaky, with coconut, toasty barrel, mocha, and espresso notes, layered over dense black fruit. The palate is massive yet balanced, with ripe, supple tannins, concentrated oak-infused flavors, and a brandied prune aftertaste, finishing with a powerful, long linger. A bold expression of Heathcote’s terroir, this Shiraz pairs beautifully with beef or venison and offers 20 plus years of cellaring potential. A collector’s treasure from a small family winery.
