Krondorf 121 Settlers Barossa Valley Shiraz The 121 Settlers Old Vine Shiraz is sourced from a single site at the cooler southern extremity of Barossa, in St. Jakobi, abutting the western ridge of the Lyndoch sub-zone. Here, a conflation of red clay and loam promotes earlier ripening, a mitigating factor against inclement weather and the growing risk of early season frosts that Climate Change has foisted upon us. As importantly these dense soils imbue the wines with a firm tannic carriage, ensuring passage to greater complexity in the cellar, while serving as a structural harness for typically exuberant Barossan fruit. The average age of the vines is in excess of 35 years, with gnarled octogenarian survivors among them. Yields are inherently low as the established root systems reach deep below the soils substrata in search of water and the requisite nutrients drawn through it. Yet the fruit that is produced is immaculate: vibrant, concentrated and firmly stamped with the regional postcode of generosity. The winemaking is dutifully sensitive, chaperoning the fruit from vineyard to bottle with minimal intrusion: gravity feeds, gentle pigeage and 16-18 months in used, rather than new, oak. The result is one of dark fruit allusions from plum to blackberry, underlain by a potpourri of spice including black pepper, clove and star anise, all melded to a pungent thread of mineral. The oak is apparent, but only as an adjunct to propel the finish long. As with many Barossan greats, the fruit weight allows for early appeal, albeit, this is a wine that will easily cellar for 15 years onwards.

HENSCHKE Marble Angel Vineyard Cabernet, Barossa Valley

A standout from the stellar 2018 vintage, this bold Barossa red is a masterclass in Australian winemaking. A powerful blend of 64% Shiraz and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, it draws fruit from two iconic regions - 52% Barossa and 48% Coonawarra - delivering depth, character, and serious ageability. Aged for 17 months in French oak (76% new), this inky, full-bodied red is bursting with flavour. Expect rich notes of blackcurrants, cloves, soy, aniseed, graphite, dark chocolate, and coffee grinds, all seamlessly woven together. Crafted by winemaker Peter Munro and sealed under cork, this is a wine built for the long haul - balanced, powerful, and beautifully structured, with fine acidity and velvety tannins.

Deep garnet with purple hues, showing a dense, inviting core. The nose offers rich dark berries, black plum, peppery spice, and subtle cedar and earth notes. On the palate it is full-bodied and structured, with ripe fruit, integrated oak, firm tannins, and a long, lingering finish.

Dark red in colour. This wine has a complex nose of dark fruits, blueberry, herbs, spice & pepper. The palate is diverse and fine with dark plum & black fruits all to the fore in this rich & succulent wine that will age well into the future.

It’s no secret that Shiraz is the core strength of the Barossa. It has; is, and always will be quintessential to our region. This is due to the dedication of generations of Barossans. With this, I pay the highest respect to the great wines of the 80’s and 90’s; the wines that showed the world how great the Barossa is, in the hope the new generation of winemakers and grape growers don’t forget the thing that gave them the opportunity to do what they do and love now.

Yalumba has always had a passion to keep exciting barrels or small batch wines separate from the blending table, regardless of quantity. This is where the Steeple Vineyard Shiraz was discovered. Sourced from antique vines within the Yalumba Steeple Vineyard on the Barossa Valley floor, this Shiraz is a strong expression of terroir, with a dynamic scent, energetic freshness and cooling earthy tannins.

2014 Z Wine Section 3146 Barossa Valley Shiraz. Shiraz performed well with high baumes and low yields keeping us on or toes. Ripe fruit flavour and good weighted wines helped us shape a classic and popular Barossa style with loads of raspberry, licorice, black pepper and chocolate for complexity.