"The world simply cannot have too many small, quality wine producers in the Barossa Valley and Pontifex is another to fit the bill" (Ken Gargett, Winepilot). Pontifex is owned and run by Sam and Helen Clarke. Sam's parents are two of the founders of another great Barossa winery called Thorn-Clarke. Indeed, Pontifex and Thorn-Clarke share a winemaker in the talented Peter Kelly. With their stunning 93pt GSM, youthful primary fruit of dark cherry, plum, raspberry with brambly spice notes filling out the expressive nose. A mid-weight palate is bright with generous rich fruits of dark cherry, plum and raspberry with dry dusty tannins on the finish. Hints of French oak cedar and spice round out the palate. "60/30/10% grenache/shiraz/mourvèdre, from Krondorf, Lyndoch and Ebenezer vineyards. Some whole bunches in shiraz; matured 20 months in seasoned French oak barrels. Sweet and sour. Tart berry fruits and green herbs contrast sweet fruit and sour acidity. Fine, supple tannins" (Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion).

Handpicked fruit has been aged in French oak hogs heads and puncheaons to ensure the fruit was the dominant flavour and structure of the wine. On the nose layers of bright red and dark fruits greet you with perfume, spice and earth notes. This is followed by a complex and vibrant palate with a beautiful perfume. Layers of red currants and blueberries integrate with spice, underlayed with French vanilla bean and some earthy notes. It has waves of fine grained chalky tannins and a long finish.

Old, extremely low-yielding McLaren Vale vines are responsible for d'Arenberg's Dead Arm Shiraz - a wine of enormous power, intensity and real complexity - an absolute must for any serious wine cellar and d'Arenberg lover. One of the flagships for McLaren Vale for many years, this wine continues to shine with a balanced between tradition and Chester Osborne driven innovation.