Medium purple hue. Ripe blackberry & black cherry with hints of fresh tobacco. Upfront, it is all juicy and dark fruited - ripe plum, tangy blueberry with a touch of ribena sweetness - but to follow, a hint of smoky cured meatiness and fine chalky tannin serve to make the finish savoury yet muy refrescante. Fermented in open stainless steel vats on skins for 14 days. Gentle pressing off skins via airbag press. The brainchild of Guy Anderson and Thierry Boudinaud, Fat Bastard Wines came into being via an exclamation, "Now that is what you call a Fat Bastard!" The comment came in response to a barrel of experimental Chardonnay that Thierry had left on lees for an extended maturation. Both Guy and Thierry felt that the wines had to be shared with the world, and so Fat Bastard Wines was born. Now, the pair work with wineries and vineyards from all over the world, sourcing fruit and juice from a myriad different regions and countries. But one factor remains the same: they make unapologetically full-bodied wines, packed with flavour and vibrancy.

The 2023 Dunn's Selection Shiraz Cabernet is an exciting new exclusive from Clare Valley's celebrated Knappstein winery. And it's immediately caught the attention of show judges winning Double Gold. It's a classic Aussie blend of 70% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium bodied Shiraz with true strength of flavour and richness provide the base for this wine. Characteristic Cabernet flavours of blackcurrants and dark chocolate are highlighted with touches of mint-cream. The Knappstein website tells us that "Fruit is grown on our Yertabulti and Provis vineyards, situated at the northern end of the Clare Valley, this is the perfect climate for maturing our premium red grapes." The team at Knappstein consider themselves guardians of the vines, most of which are in excess of 50 years. They adopt a minimal intervention approach in the vineyard with the aim to create wines of real personality and unique regionality while maintaining rigorous high standards of sustainability. About the naming of Dunn's Selection the winery have said: ""Knappstein’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the story of the Clare Valley; a place where history and landscape have shaped generations of winemakers. Dunn’s Selection draws its name and inspiration from the neighbouring Dunn’s Range, an area defined by undulating hills, weathered soils, and vines that have stood the test of time. It is from this same enduring landscape that Knappstein continues its craft, transforming the richness of Clare’s red earth into wines that speak of place, purpose, and provenance. Dunn’s Selection Shiraz Cabernet embodies the strength and elegance of its surroundings; a wine that honours the origins of the valley’s character while reflecting Knappstein’s continual pursuit of refinement."

This deep brick red Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of plums, cherries and hints of mint transcends to layers of savoury red fruits balanced with an earthy finish. A wine with elegance and power, best matched with home made lasagne.

This Pinot Noir is a brilliant expression of the land from which it is made. It has fruit forward flavours of strawberry and raspberry with a long, smooth finish.

Delicate colour. Aromas of lifted raspberry, redcurrant and cranberry fruit float across underlying earth and spice notes. The palate is fine and delicate but still well defined and structured. More cranberry and redcurrant characters are on show here too. There is some gentle oak influence adding tannin and complexity.

Excellent colour and mid-density. Being 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Shiraz it is more of the classic Aussie blend Cabernet/Shiraz. Lifted dark fruit and cedar notes on the nose. A rich mouthfeel from the McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Fine tannins with the oak very much in the background ensuring great drinkability.

Rapaura Springs have turned plenty of heads with their current releases - the Reserve Pinot Noir is little short of jaw dropping. Drinking beautifully now expect a nose that's ripe, plush and jammed full of seductive fruit and spice smells, while textbook silky mouth-feel leads to a long fine finish. Drink it with five spice duck and rice.

The late, great Peter Lehmann was indeed a Pastor’s Son, a fifth generation Barossa winemaker and a legend in his own lifetime. The son of a Lutheran preacher, he became a champion of small independent grape growers in the region, buying their grapes through the tough days of the 1970s when the big wineries reneged on their contracts. This earned Peter the title ‘Baron of the Barossa’. Those growers never forgot his generosity and always stayed loyal. With a fabulous wine range including the world class Stonewell, no one did more to elevate the Barossa to cult status than Peter. His generous spirit lives on in this hearty, big spice Shiraz. With a l-o-n-g list of Gold-medal vintages, there’s great hope for this just-released 2022 vintage. Rich, chocolatey, with a peppery vanilla edge, it’s supreme with rare beef, roast lamb or veggie casserole with dumplings.