Rich in red fruits, cherry and strawberry with delicate oak aromas on the nose. A structured tannic wine. Aromas of blackcurrant buds and vanilla. Remarkable freshness with notable and refined tannins to due long oak ageing. Crozes-Hermitage can be considered the gateway to the red and white wines of the Northern Rhône Valley. The reds, which are the majority of production, have wonderful warm flavors of red and black fruit, and typical Syrah (Shiraz) pepper, spice and savoury notes. They are more approachable than their highly revered cousins in Côte-Rotie and Hermitage, with an appealing freshness that makes them drinkable early in life.

E. Guigal, located in Ampuis, was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal. Since 1961 his son Marcel has led the estate, and his unparalleled work ethic and dedication to quality have brought attention to Côte-Rôtie and other appellations throughout the Rhone that were in danger of being lost, and lifted the Guigal wines to the pinnacle of the wine world. Hermitage is one of Frances most spectacular and famous appellations, producing small quantities of extraordinarily intense and age worthy red wine. 'The 2009 Hermitage possesses a dense purple color as well as lots of creme de cassis, camphor and acacia flowers. The Guigal family may be the modern worlds greatest testament to a family-run winery with impeccably high standards, integrity and an uncompromising vision of the future. They continue to push the envelope of quality to greater and greater heights.' 92-95 Points | Robert Parker.

Deep ruby, purple in colour showing intense and creamy aromas of dark compote berry fruit with hints of blackberry, plums and mulberries peeking through. On the palate waves of the same dark berry fruit show early providing a density and voluptuousness to the mouth-feel that remains deep into the mouth and rolls out through the back. It is joined by just a hint of spice and some subtle glimpses of faint leather and sandalwood.

Dark purple red in colour, the nose coconut fudge and chocolate plump, the palate very full bodied and large with fine tannins and a warm finish. Soul Growers' fruit is destemmed in open fermenters that hold anywhere from half a tonne, to five tonnes. After seven to ten days of fermentation the fermenters are drained and placed by hand into basket presses. The fruit is then gently pressed for about 18 hours to ensure the flavour and aromas are carefully extracted without releasing harsh and bitter tannins.After pressing, the winemakers settle the wine in tanks before filling the barrels ready for ageing. The winery's renowned reds generally spend 18 to 24 months on oak. To round off the process, each individual barrel is blended and benchmarked prior to being settled in bottles, without any fining or filtration.

On the palate ripe berries, rich fruitcake and chocolate flavours can be noted, along with a silky smooth and velvety finish. Dense fully body with an aromatic display of dark fruit, spicy oak and sweet tobacco. Lovely full bodied wine that is sweet and fruity in the mouth. Very flavoursome with well balanced oak.

Swinney Farvie Frankland River Syrah To achieve this, the grapes are hand-harvested from 1997 planted Syrah. The fruitof which about half is whole bunchis sorted, then gravity-fed into a vat and a brace of 600L demi-muids, all French oak. Wild fermentation follows and this is evidenced in the structure, complexity and aromatic nature of the wine. There is a week and a half of time spent on skins after which the wine is basket pressed directly into large format French oak, about a third new. With just a pinch of sulphites, the unfined wine is given a little filter and is then ready for bottling. 'ground-breaking syrah from Frankland River.'- Ray Jordan Shop Swinney

Single Vineyard 100 year old vines. Hand picked, small open fermentation, unfiltered, basket pressed. Its Lush mouthcoating and lighly grippy. Aromas of eucalyptus, blackberry & maple syrup. Black pepper, fig jam and truffles. Not produced every year Limited production. cellar for 10+ years

SOUL GROWERS Gobell Single Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley