DOMINIO DEL AGUILA Penas Aladas Gran Reserva , Ribera del Duero

This Adelaide Hills Tempranillo was selected from a single vineyard in Macclesfield in the southern hills. It was handcrafted to produce a wine portraying the uniquely high elevation, red earth, crisp mornings and the warmth of autumn colours. Brooding dark fruits with ripe plums are integrated with a mild oak spice and hints of wild mint. A perfect accompaniment to a grazing platter on an mild Autumn afternoon.

Vital, youthful and vigorous. Joven-style Tempranillo with bright, punchy fruit aromatics of damson plum and mulberry that sit above darker dried herb and wood smoke notes. Mid-weight palate with lively red berry and tart stone fruit flavours that mesh with nervy, bright fruit acids and light, snappy tannins. Harvested from a single, elevated vineyard in the southern Barossa foothills. Handpicked early in the season to capture lively fruit and retain natural fruit acids, selected bunches were fully destemmed prior to fermentation in a small open fermenter. The young wine was allowed to mature on its lees for six months prior to bottling without filtration. Spinifex was started in 2001 with the opportunity to source some great old vine Mataro growing in deep white drift-sand on the Barossa Valleys Western Ridge. Owned by husband and wife team, Peter Schell and Magali Gely, their focus is on regional wines from the traditional Mediterranean grape varieties that have been grown successfully in Australia for over 150 years - Shiraz, Mataro, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Ugni Blanc, Grenache Gris, Marsanne and Semillon. They aim to make wines that display signatures of vineyard provenance and vintage, show regional typicity and have a consistent thread of 'house style' that reflects their preferences and experiences with wine. The wines they choose to make are predominately blends, the synergies derived from blending wines of differing character enhance the subtle complexities, even textures and profound personalities delivered from great old vine vineyards.

La Linea Tempranillo has floral aromas, with notes of raspberry, mulberry and cherry, and hints of sage and rosemary. Savoury and complex yet fresh, with distinctive fine tannins, it will age for some years.

Chris Taylor and his Quattro Mano wines have certainly made their mark on the modern Australian wine scene. Using 'alternate' Mediterranean varieties like this Tempranillo, Taylor handcrafts flavoursome and yet medium to full-bodied wines of utmost character. This Novillo Temp is choc full of dark berries, liquorice and that traditional hint of cola. Simply delectable.

Cedar, touches of tobacco and glac cherry on the nose. The palate is gentle and medium bodied, very savoury, showing dark cherries, vanilla, black olives and nuttiness. A classy wine.

Spanish big guns, Remírez de Ganuza have produced a quite sublime old vine Tempranillo blend from the famed Rioja region that will defy all expectations. A luscious aroma of asian spicies and black fruits greet the nose before unfurling into flavours of dark berry fruit, cigar box, mushroom and blood plum. Brilliantly structured with life in front of it that will stretch with ease to 2025. If you're looking for a taste of Spanish royalty, start here.

There are minuscule volumes produced of the Cirsion by Bodegas Roda (the name of the thistle which is Roda's logo) which is made from grapes specially selected for the suppleness of the tannins they deliver. Parcels selected are from low-yielding older Tempranillo vines of 45 years and more, from four vineyards. Choosing the plants with the softest tannins, this makes the wine very attractive and supple early on, but it still has great ageing potential.