Every so often there are parcels of wine that generate tremendous excitement amongst the winemakers at Schild Estate. They set this aside to make Prämie, the wine that defines the best of the vintage and the land on which it was grown. Intense primary fresh plum flavours show again on the palate, where they hold their presence all the way through to roll out soft and pillowy at the finish. A firmly present, but fine tannin framework provides just enough focus and lift for the fruit to ensure added complexity, but retaining vibrancy to the mouth flavours of this Shiraz.

Old vine Barossa Valley Shiraz doesn't get much better than this. The Kaesler name was reborn by winemaker and visionary Reid Bosward in 1997, breathing new life in the over 100 year old vineyards. A Quirky name matched with unrivaled concentration make The Bogan Shiraz as must have for all big Australian Shiraz lovers.

Spinifex Bete Noir Shiraz has a potent herb infused fruit on attack. Spiced red plum, cherry and sage flavours with a saline edge are carried on mid-weight frame of strong black tea-like tannin. Barossa Shiraz with even temper - displays fleshy, dark and generous fruit measured by ripe acids and drying tannin.

A delightful wine that has just reached it's maturity, showing classic Barossa Shiraz power albeit in a more savoury limelight. Earthy and leathery undertones give this wine a point of interest that wasn't there when it was big, young and sweet. Enjoy only with great food and good company.

2017 gifted the Yarra Valley with superb growing conditions, and the resulting wines, like this beauty, have wonderful harmony, balance and depth.Medium garnet colour. Dark plummy fruit with spicy complexity and subtle leaf and graphite. Medium-weight yet plush and focussed with plum, spice and undergrowth complexity, cocoa and subtle mocha depth, subtle secondary characters and spicy length.

Vibrant in colour with intense purple hues, the aromatics are all red florals with notes of berry crumble and baking spices. The palate is layered with brooding red fruits, mulberry, black cherry and blood plum. Star anise, fennel and freshly crushed peppercorns add complexity to this luscious core. Tension and weighty fruit are followed by long chewy tannin which drives to a silky finish.

Planted in 2007, this 0.8-hectare vineyard is littered with volcanic rocks (hence the name) and lies on the plateau above the De La Terre slope—essentially making it a westerly extension of the Serré vineyard. It was originally planted with various clonal cuttings from Best’s and Tahbilk on a mix of rootstock and own roots. Holmes only uses the Best’s clone in this bottling today and the rest of the site has been grafted over to Chardonnay, giving Bannockburn a close-planted Chardonnay block, named Grigsby after Bannockburn’s long-standing vineyard manager. The fruit was fully destemmed in 2011, wild fermented with indigenous yeast and then spent 12 months in 1/3 new French puncheons and a second year in 5 year old barriques.

Shadowfax have a knack for producing unique wines of great character and complexity. Premium parcels of Pinot Noir were carefully selected for their aromatics and texture. This is wine of grace and intrigue, each layer of complexity only revealing itself ever so gradually. A joy to drink.

Brokenwood and the Hunter Valley region is experience somewhat of a renaissance of late. Quality wines for a great prices just like this nice Hunter Shiraz. Typical earthy notes with hints of leather and spice all wrapped around dark brooding plum and cherry fruit. Quality oak imparts a subtle cedar character and fine grained tannins complete the wine that finishes long and smooth.

Gimblett Gravels Syrah is a wine made using multiple parcels from the vineyard, the blending of these different parcels of grapes combine to create a wine that is truly distinct of its terrior and appealing palate. A satin like texture gives way to chewy vibrant berry fruit and mineral yet complex finish.