In the most northwesterly corner of Rioja, the flatter land starts rising up into soaring mountains. It's here you'll find the start of the Rioja Alta vineyards – a fine enclave of Spain’s greatest region. There extra altitude freshens as well as ripens grapes slowly to full flavoured perfection. Since most Riojas blend grapes from across the region you almost never see Rioja Alta on labels. In fact, there are only two villages permitted to add it. In one you'll find Juan Antonio Leza’s family winery, the cellar behind Castillo de Epifania. Every grape comes from their sleepy Rioja Alta village. Full of silky dark fruit and strawberry, with a kiss of oak, this red has a delicious 'drink me' style, lovely on its own or with tasty tapas.

Enjoy this rich, well-oaked and spicy 93pt Single Vineyard Shiraz from Currency Creek. "Inky and glass-staining with blackberry compote, blueberry, licorice and pepper-crusted meats. This wine sees some time in both French and American oak, which gives it some slippery vanilla and caramelised plum pie flavours. Certainly richer in style with firm clove and paperbark tannins providing ample framework, while raspberry tea and peppery spice bring lift through the finish. Nicely made. 93pt" (Katrina Butler, The Halliday Wine Companion). Having worked in McLaren Vale, owners Mark and Rebekah Shaw settled in Currency Creek in 2002.

Savour a 96pt Coonawarra Shiraz Cabernet from top-rated Penley (an amalgamation of two hugely celebrated wine names, Penfold & Toley) – and exceptional winemaker Kate Goodman. “The '22 Eos is matured in 40% new French oak from a mix of coopers. Aromas of boysenberries off the tree, bleeding pomegranate and rhubarb stem, iron-enriched soils, resting meat and wattleseed spice. There is adzuki bean sweetness with a rush of powdery tannins that sweeps you right off your feet. Once you’ve made it back safely to earth you'll ponder just how mysterious and thought provoking a well-handled Aussie cab shiraz blend can be. There is a creaminess like the very highest quality dark chocolate, an interplay of bitterness and luxury that lingers across the palate. Truly a wine of intrigue and beauty. 96pts” (Shanteh Wale, The Halliday Wine Companion). "In '88, Kym, Ang and Bec Tolley joined forces to buy a block of land in Coonawarra – Penley Estate was underway, the amalgamation of a 5th-generation wine family Penfold and Tolley." (Halliday).

Cape Jaffa was a pioneer both in the Mt Benson region and in terms of its focus on biocynamics and sustainability. The first of the Mount Benson wineries,Cape Jaffa’s fully certified biodynamic vineyard provides 50% of production, with additional fruit sourced from a certified biodynamic grower in Wrattonbully. This is a lovely drop for warmer weather. As Shanteh Wale says in The Halliday Wine Companion, this is “made for drinking and good times. Serve slightly chilled" but it is not without complexity. "Blackberries, prune, plums and thistle. Picked oregano, margoram and green olive.”

Another Barossa Valley beauty from the impressive Schild Estate with Gold and two 96pt scores! . "...opulent aromas ... Full bodied and lush with a curtain of powdery tannin and a beautiful créme-de-cassis-like flow to the fruit. There's lots of latent power and fruit depth on display here but nothing feels heavy or overdone. 96pts.” (Dave Brookes, The Halliday Wine Companion). “Gosh, this is a good wine... from the first aromas of perfumed dark fruits... the plush plummy fruit characters come together with spice and dark chocolate rolling effortlessly off the palate as it gathers momentum to a long finish. Classy wine here. 96pts”. (Ken Gargett WinePilot). The Three Springs vineyard is where the original Schild family homestead is located. situated on historic Narrow Road in Rowland Flat, this vineyard sits at 380 metres above sea level. Vineyards at this altitude are traditionally much lower yielding and produce fruit of the highest quality.

Classic cool climate Bordeaux blend exhibiting precise definition of fruit flavors, tannin backbone and the complexity of a Bordeaux blend of four grape varieties; Cabernet Sauvignon (47%), Petit Verdot (26%), Cabernet Franc (17%), Merlot (10%). 24 months in French and Russian Oak.Hand crafted in small batches from grapes grown using sustainable practices with no pesticides or herbicides.Blackcurrant, dark cherry nose with hints of cigar box, tea leaf and mint adding complexity. The palate is medium bodied with richness and intensity supported by finely cut, soft integrated tannins. Allinda Cabernets will continue to improve with careful cellar maturation in the bottle for 10 to 15 years.

We managed to secure the last stocks of this Trophy and double Gold-medal winning vintage. In the winery: Selected bunches were hand picked in the third week of March and gently crushed into open top fermenters.In the glass: Vibrant, dense red black.On the nose: Appealing mix of super-ripe black fruit with classic mint herbaceousness. On the palate: Excellent balance with a powerful black fruit core cloaked with bright spice and herb and underlying cedary oak.