Pooley Wines was established in 1985 when the late Denis and Margaret Pooley planted ten rows of Riesling and seven rows of Pinot Noir on their 16-hectare farm at Cooinda Vale in the Coal River Valley in southern Tasmania. Cooinda Vale Vineyard was established in 1985 by Pooley’s founders, Margaret and Dennis Pooley. Sitting between 80-100m above sea level, the vineyard is tucked away in a nook of hills North of Campania making it much more protected from prevailing weather conditions. Being more continental it also experiences greater extremes in temperatures bringing more frequent frosts, snow and heat waves. The iron lacking grey brown sandy loam over clay subsoils at this site tend to bring a moderate level of struggle to the vines by restricting deep root growth and water accessibility but in turn creates a wine that is more delicate and finer. Named after the second generation John Roy Denis Pooley and sourced from a very small block of Syrah that was planted in 1999 Matt Pooley as a trial block of Syrah looking specifically at climate change and where it would lead Tasmania's wine future. Four rows of this varietal were planted, later expanded to eight rows which is enough to make 2-3 barrels depending on the vintage. 100% destemmed, with wild fermentation for 10 days and pressed to French oak barriques for 14 months. Crunchy notes of bramble, blueberries, violets, and a dusting of white pepper on the nose. A mouth-watering display of aniseed, red liquorice, tobacco leaf, and cocoa continuing on the palate. Brilliant tension, integrated tannins, and layered complexity. Simply wondrous. This wine will continue to develop with careful cellaring. Drink now til 2040.

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.

A full and fruity Shiraz, Kaesler Old Bastard is fresh on the nose with hints of blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. On the palate, forest fruits, blackberry and mulberry mingle with spices of anise and nutmeg with some coffee and chocolate notes. Tannins are silky and balanced, with a nice acidity. This shiraz will cellar for 20+ years.

The Beast is so named for it primal power but, like the fabled beast, it has an inner depth and complexity. Made from 100% Shiraz, The Beast is a perfect expression of the Barossa Valley style, walking the fine line of power between the savage and the sublime.

A classic Hermitage, M.Chapoutiers Ermitage Le Méal typically shows ripe red berry fruits, powerful tannins and velvety texture. Le Méal, is an old French word meaning the best. The fruit is sourced from a single east-facing vineyard anchored on chalk and alluvial gravelly soils on the Hill of Hermitage. The Syrah is hand-harvested and de-stemmed before undergoing vinification in small concrete vats. Maturation takes place in a mix of new and seasoned French oak barrels for 14-18 months.

Sourced from the Standish Family Vineyard Siegersdorf Road, Vine Vale, Barossa Valley. Planted on own roots in 1912. Dense, latent and strapping, this flaunts the flawless purity that can be leached from the famed sandy flints of Vine Vale. Tightly wound with its cards close to the vest, deep-set aromatics of coal, pressed currant and black truffle are foiled by redolent tones of tilled soil, beef broth and slow roasted meats. Dark and brooding with immense concentration, persistence and energy it is somewhat of a heroic style but is gently laced with a long fine cloak of silken tannin.

Chris Ringland's Barossa Ranges Shiraz is steeped in the Barossas post-colonial story and the high art and science of winemaking. Typically deep in colour with intense dark berry, paneforte, espresso roasted chestnut aromas, it displays a plush and concentrated palate with blackberry, mocha, paneforte spicy flavours and dense fine chocolaty tannins. Despite the opulence, flamboyance, richness and concentration, the wine has superb percussion and freshness. The wine is a small vinification of around four to five hogsheads or 1500 litres. The "unusually thick skinned" Shiraz is entirely sourced from Chris Ringland's dry-grown vineyard on the edge of the Barossa Valley, but technically in Eden Valley, along Flaxman's Valley near Randall's Hill. The wine is "painstakingly hand-made" in open fermenters and regularly pumped-over to extract colour, flavour and tannins. After draining and pressing through a traditional basket press, fermentation is completed in 100% new French oak hogsheads. A period of up to 50 months oak maturation follows to achieve optimum complexity and balance between oak and fruit. The extraordinarily high release prices (higher than Penfolds Grange), limited production and reputation make Chris Ringland Barossa Ranges Shiraz the stuff of legend.