The warm and dry 2017 vintage allowed perfectly ripe fruit to be harvested. The red plum and black cherry aromas lead to a fruit driven and softly textured palate with background vanillin and spice from oak barrel maturation.

A memorable Durif, awash with lush black fruit and spice that comes in an appropriately distinctive bottle. Bill Calabria has won won Trophy after Trophy after Trophy for his wines – including the prestigious Stoddart. He has been on a short list for the Jimmy Watson Award at least twice, His ‘3 Bridges’ alone has been recognised at the Sydney International Wine Competition, as ‘Most Successful Winery or Brand’ … he’s been praised by Robert Parker and Halliday who’s placed four wines within his 1001 Top Wines. He was a local boxing champion as a teenager, winning 12 out of 13 fights (with seven KOs) before his mum found out and put a stop to it. “I made a lot of friends out of boxing,” he says. It’s given him rare opportunities including sparring with the Australian champion, and has also come in handy in other ways. A few years ago he confronted three men who’d come to the winery to steal wine. After they started throwing punches Bill fought back, literally knocked some teeth out, and they fled empty handed. This is an unashamedly weighty, full flavoured red with masses of lush black fruit, spice, liquorice and herbal hints and a toasty oak finish.

The Morrison Shiraz vineyard, for which the wine is named, is situated directly across from Kilikanoon's winery in the Clare Valley sub-region of Leasingham. The Cabernet Sauvignon with which it is blended lies on the opposite ridge, a spectacular vineyard which glistens gold in the morning sun. Basket pressed into new and seasoned French oak barrels for 16 months. It is silky and fragrant, with hints of mint and pepper and "It's in very good shape... 94pts" (Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion).

MadFish was established by Howard Park as a standalone brand with a focus on expressive, affordable, drink-now wines, and is named after a bay in the Great Southern (near Denmark). “... one to enjoy now, at a barbecue but it’ll mellow in a few more years. Cassis and cherries, cedary, woodsy spice, a hint of fresh herbs and some sway with the tannins. It works across a medium-bodied palate and has plenty of refreshing acidity and a touch of detail. 90pts, Great Value.” Jane Faulkner, The Halliday Wine Companion.

The southern Rhône’s cru villages deliver remarkable richness as well as value – all nine of them well worth discovering. One of the best is Vacqueyras, the village watched over by the towering Dentelles de Montmirail (google and you'll find some impressive images of these iconic rugged landmarks) . Cuvée Préstigieux is from the Guillot family. In 1911, great grandfather of the current owner forsook his birthplace of Burgundy and headed south to the Rhône valley. There he bought his first vineyard. Today, Laurent Guillot is in charge, working the family plots both in Burgundy and the southern Rhône. This Cuvée Préstigieux is a full-bodied style with ripe raspberry fruit from the Grenache, while the Syrah brings herbal aromas and blackberry and a touch of Mourvèdre adds spice. Ace with roast lamb or a rich casserole.