Wolf Blass Platinum Label Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the Medlands Vineyard, situated on the central north Barossa Valley floor at Dorrien. This site features ancient soils of loamy sands over clay, deposited five million years ago, which produce fruit with significant varietal intensity. The microclimate here is influenced by cooling breezes from the foothills and the North Para River, allowing for the slow ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. In the winery, Steven Frost and his team focus on preserving the vineyard's character through a combination of traditional and modern techniques. The wine typically undergoes maturation in new French oak for approximately 22 months, a process that integrates firm tannins with the natural dark fruit profile. This extended barrel aging adds structural complexity and helps the wine develop the longevity expected of a flagship Barossa red.

Henschke have in recent years begun to identify and single out great quality parcels of Shiraz fruit that deserves to be bottled seperately and released as part of their Vineyard Selection. The Tappa Pass Shiraz is sourced from old low yielding Barossa vineyards that shows amazing depth and concentration. Rich, lush and intense it will develop further complexity with bottle age.

WOLF BLASS WINES Platinum Label Medlands Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley

A story that has intrigued Sons of Eden for years is the fable of the legendary founders of Ancient Rome, Romulus and Remus. These twins were abandoned at birth and reared by a she-wolf. Romulus murdered his twin in a fit of rage over the naming of Rome, the city which both had built. Legend presents Romulus as the stronger, more powerful of the brothers, while Remus was more refined, focussed and elegant. Sons of Eden believe the twins characterise the distinctive and unique flavours and attributes of Shiraz from the twin valleys - the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. Deep crimson in colour with a complex aroma of dense cherry and red berry fruits together with nuances of dried herb and vanilla bean. A powerful and fleshy palate of plums, red berries and spice are balanced with persistent silky tannins.

As the custodian of some of the world's oldest Grenache vines, Marco Cirillo has been called the guru of Grenache! The 1850s Grenache, as the name suggests, has fruit that comes from vines that date back over 160 years. Truly remarkable flavours of red fruit, earth and leather notes. An old world feel comes from a glass of this new world Grenache.

The Glaetzer family have been part of the Barossa winemaking scene since 1888 and now Ben takes over the reigns and produces Shiraz of the utmost intensity and concentration. Named after the ancient Egyptian god Amon-Ra who was the champion of the poor and troubled and was central to personal piety, the temple of Amon-Ra is believed to be the first to plant a vineyard to produce wine for the citizens of the temple. This incarnation is rich, full-bodied and viscous to the palate, yet with sublime oak integration and a balance on the back palate that is quite lifted allowing it to be paired with many meals and a prime candidate for medium to long term cellaring.

Tyrrell's Vat 8 is the archetypal blend of tradition and modernity. With a strong history in both the Hunter Valley and Hilltops regions, Tyrrell's are able to showcase the very best in modern Australian winemaking. The Vat 8 consists of a majority Hunter Valley Shiraz the lends beauty, flavour and ripeness and a small parcel of Hilltops Cabernet which supports the Shiraz with power and structure. Elegant and pristine early, this is a wine that will enjoy some time in the cellar to further develop it already obvious complexity.

Glaetzer-Dixon's wine maker Nick has taken four generations of Barossa shiraz wine-making knowledge and applied it to carefully selected parcels of shiraz grapes from the Coal Valley in Southern Tasmania. The Mon Père Shiraz is a pre-eminent cool-climate shiraz, with flavours and textures evocative of Northern Rhône valley wines.

Kellermeister's Wild Witch has garnered a cult following over the past years due to the brooding, rich, full-bodied and limited nature of the Barossa classic. The inky, viscous, foreboding black fruit is sourced from low-yielding, dry grown vineyards specially selected for producing the very best Kellermeister can get their hands on. Resting for two years in the finest French oak to really develop its flavour and character. Almost 'magical'.

Marqués de Riscal began with a dream back in 1858 and over 150 years later, the Bodega decided to commemorate the 150th Anniversary with a Gran Reserva Rioja that befitted the history and standing of such great wines. The result it this outstanding Tempranillo blend from the 2001 vintage, a truly special vintage in the Rioja region. Dark cherry in colour with complex aromas of balsamic, charred wood and layers of spices. The palate follows with a viscous mouthfeel with a good concentration of tannins and acid structure. A truly remarkable Rioja that pays a great tribute.