A special release from winemaker Dean Hewitson, the titled “66” referring to his winery address on the fabled Seppeltsfield Road, For Tony Love it's a "...a supremely finessed, singular expression where the fruit and oak marriage is everything, just a glimpse of smoky bacon, just a faint whiff of eucalypt, all expertly woven and expressed with a contemporary vitality in the palate, seasoned generously with a black pepper spice character, concluding in an elite wrapping of gastronomic Amaro-like bitterness." (Toy Love, WinePilot). For Ken gargett "This is a class effort. The palate sees the emergence of notes of soy, cloves and blackberries. There is fine balance, impressive length and the finest of tannins. Wonderful stuff, which will surely drink beautifully for the next ten to twenty years. Barossa at its best.96pts" (Ken Gargett, WinePilot). Sam Kim, Wine Orbit scores it a whopping 98pts "Immensely complex and perfumed, the bouquet presents black and blueberry, violet, tapenade, star anise, and stylish oak characters. The concentrated palate exhibits exceptional depth and weight, wonderfully framed by velvety texture and finely infused tannins. It is opulent and substantial, yet refined and harmonious, with a persistent and gratifying finish. Gorgeously proportioned and balanced, ensuring its gracious development."

Tuck into an opulent McLaren Vale Shiraz Cab brimming with classic regional richness, class and complexity from the perfectly-sited vineyards of Dowie Doole, now in the confident and skilled hands of winemaker Chris Thomas. Enjoy rich plummy Shiraz showing classic McLaren Vale generosity and complexity, balanced by firm, fine grained tannins and savoury Cabernet backbone. Notes of dark fruit, hints of cassis, bay leaf, coffee bean and liquorice carry through to a long luxurious finish. Founders Drew Dowie and Norm Doole, both visionary and passionate about sustainability, have always been nuts about McLaren Vale geology – the sandy soils of Blewitt Springs and the ancient rocks of Tatachilla in particular. They paired up to form DOWIE DOOLE in 1995, and then, in 2015, sold it to their chief winemaker and fellow devotee Chris Thomas, who has worked at many top wineries including Fox Creek and Serafino Wines in McLaren Vale – as well as in Burgundy, France. Norm and Drew own neighbouring estates, one in each locale mentioned above, and both have sold one of their premium vineyards to ‘DD’ in order to boost its overall potential. Norm Doole’s California Road vineyard and Drew Dowie’s Tintookie vineyard at Blewitt Springs.

A very impressive Museum Release Reserve Shiraz from a single Barossa Valley vineyard, with two 96pt scores. Ken Garget WinePilot tells us it's from "Old vines from a single site…" but Ray Jordan is more dramatic: “Wow, this is Barossa Shiraz—it’s big, it’s bold, but there is a classy refinement here… It’s an opulent, plush, and generous style of Shiraz that captures what was a very good year in the Barossa. Dark prune-like characters with plums, dark cherry, and some spicy savoriness as well, with that final richer dark chocolate coating completing what is an excellent wine. 96pts.” (Ray Jordan, WinePilot). Sam Kim, Wine Orbit is just as enthusiastic: “This is powerful with refinement, showing dark fruit richness, toasted spice, smoked game, assorted nut, and dark cocoa characters on the nose, leading to a superbly weighted palate offering seductive complexity with velvety texture, finishing impressively long and plush. Wonderfully harmonious and structured with excellent depth and opulence. 96pts”.

When it comes to the quality and price ($320 a bottle!) of this outstanding Shiraz, the term Super Premium is an understatement. The story of this winery began in, you guessed it, 1847. After the proclamation of a land grant by the Governor for the historic Rowland Flat property, Bavarian immigrant Johann Gramp planted what was the first commercial vineyard in the Barossa Valley. 1847 winery now encompasses some 200 acres of premium estate vineyards. “There's a bright, spicy crunch to the best of '17 Barossa shiraz. This is a refreshingly medium-bodied style laced with red cherries, greengage plums and a hint of black pepper. Tangy acid line and a fine tannin grid carry a finish of impressive persistence... 95pts” (Halliday Wine Companion, Tyson Stelzer).

"A smart blend" (Halliday) with Golds, Platinum and 94-96pt scores. From the very gifted winemaker Elena Brooks. "Flavours skip through sour plum, wild raspberry, blackberry pastille, soft licorice, ground ginger, dark rye, mace and a certain tarriness, measured but robust tannins closing out. It’s a smart blend, pulpy, chewy, multi-layered and bursting with flavour. 95pts” (Marcus Ellis, The Halliday Wine Companion). "Rich and intense on the palate with loads of blue fruits and dark earth minerality... it rolls long and weighty with supple tannins ensuring the drive is clear, focused and very long. 95pts” Stuart Knox, The Real Review). Ken Gargett, WinePilot adds that it is "Stunning stuff... A silky palate, very long and seamless with soft and sleek tannins. An enticing style which is utterly delicious. 96pts".

Something of a d'Arenberg icon and "the best one yet" (Halliday), an elegantly packaged, triumphant 96pt century-old-vine Shiraz meets a trio of young, exotic & fragrant white Rhône varieties. (Although as the d'Arenberg site points out: "Some might joke that the old bloke is Chester, and the three young blondes are his daughters, the fifth generation who will carry on the d'Arenberg tradition. Each of these title characters are represented on the label as a cut out silhouette." ) As Marcus Ellis writes in The Halliday Companion, this iconic red is: "“From centurion vines crushed over 1% each of roussanne, viognier and marsanne. The cuvée name always sounds like the start of a joke going the wrong way, or at least for the zeitgeist. This does not go the wrong way, although it is also outside the zeitgeist. No matter – cancelling isn’t recommended… It’s loaded with flavour, roiling through red and black berries, plum, old cupboard spices, ground dark chocolate and dried herbs. For me, it’s the best one yet. 96pts” (Marcus Ellis, The Halliday Wine Companion). In 1912, horse-fanatic Joseph Osborn sold his beloved stables and horses and bought the family the d'Arenberg estate in premium McLaren Vale. “d’Arenberg kept its 100+yo heritage while moving into the 21st century with flair. At last count, the d’Arenberg vineyards have 40 varieties planted, as well as more than 50 growers in McLaren Vale. Its considerable portfolio of richly robed red wines, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and grenache are the cornerstones. The iconic 5-level Cube cellar door offers a range of wine experiences including a restaurant and a wine sensory room” (James Halliday). The Osborns are co-founders of The First Families of Australian Wine. You'll always spot a d'Arenberg wine with its bold red stripe on the label.

One of the benchmarks of Barossa Shiraz, Peter Lehmann's Stonewell is a classic example of the rich concentrated old vine style. While bold on the palate, there is always an inherent complexity to the Stonewell that enables it to be compared with all of the great Australian wines produced today.

Take home a mighty Shiraz of concentration power and balance, from winemaker Chris Thomas, now part owner of Dowie Doole. It was founded in 1995 by Drew Dowie and Norm Doole, lon associated with grape growing in McLaren vale. Since 2015, it has been in the hands of Chief Winemaker Chris Thomas, who bought it from them with other investor friends. This is an archetypal McLaren vale Shiraz with dark fruit and chocolate, coffee, herbs and licorice.