Coming from one of the best vintages in recent Barossa history, the Old Block from St Hallett shows what careful vineyard management can do for a wine. Rich, dark and conerntrated but with seamless tannin intergration.

The Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz is a relatively new addition to the Penfolds stable, sourced from the Barossan sub-district, Marananga. Simply a revelation, this wine is an inky, black beast in the glass with lashings of dark chocolate and coffee accented fruit, yet this years offering shows a lingering, soft structured finish that will see the wine cellar very nicely.

Though part of the Barossa, the Eden Valley is a slightly cooler climate than the neighbouring Barossa Valley, so generally produce Shiraz that is slightly more elegant in style. That said, the Eden Hall Shiraz is a wine that is not only rich, vibrant and full of life today, it will also hang in for the long haul.

Established in 1890, Château Tanunda sits upon the site that saw the first plantings in the Barossa Valley, back in the 1840's. The grand château itself is a heritage icon and has recently been restored to it former glory. 'The Château' Shiraz is sourced solely from the Vine Vale vineyard and after picking spent 10 days on its own skins to extract colour, flavour and tannin. 18 months in a mixture of old and new French and American barriques and hogheads has produced a wine of opulence and serious concentration while still retaining balance and elegance.

The flagship of the Torbreck stable. Recently been elevated to 'Exceptional' status in Langton's Fine Wine Classification, it is a wine of utmost power and density. Famous for rich concentration and opulent power, this exceptional Australian Shiraz is as popular abroad as it is at home. Definitely one to place in the cellar and simply forget about - let the patience reward you over 10 or more years time.

Nitschke Block Shiraz displays rich, opulent fruit with a fantastic balance of texture. Lifted notes of greengage plums are first to emerge from what is a tightly-wound wine. There is also a warming spice element of subtle white pepper as well as some dark cherry and plum flavours.

Z Wine's Rustica Shiraz is an intense crimson red with purple hues followed by aromas of ripe cherry and red plum which are complimented by hints of pepper and spice with lifted perfumed notes. The palate is warm and full flavoured, displaying generous sweet red fruit, such as cherry, raspberry and plum. These fruits are couple with cedar spice notes and the soft mouth-filling tannins carry the fruit as well as providing structure and length to the wine. This wine is an exemplary example of a lifted, fruit filled Barossa Shiraz suitable for drinking in its youth.

Murray Street Vineyards might be a recent addition to the Barossa Valley elite, but it hasn't taken Andrew Seppelt and his team to firmly place themselves at the pointy end of quality in the Barossa. With access to some of the oldest vineyards in the Valley, Murray Street are able to produce wines like this Red Label Shiraz that are bursting with varietal aromas and flavours. Dark, purple and blueberry fruit with a fine and integrated tannin structure. A beautifully balanced wine.

Gibson Wines is one of the reasons why we all love the Barossa Valley so much. Small family winery, ancient soils, hand-crafter wines all made by a true Barossa character, Rob Gibson. With his signature moustache and motorcyclists' leather waistcoat, Rob puts all his years of experience into every bottle. The Reserve Shiraz is grown from a single estate vineyard in Stockwell and displays aromas and flavours that are fresh and lively with juicy fruit tones that are hard to find in 2007. Amazing what can be achieved with rigorous fruit selection and detailed winemaking.

St Hugo has been a long established name in Australian wine, namely due to the iconic Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra. Made from premium Barossa Valley fruit that provides dark berry fruits with opulent herb and spice characters. With a cellaring potential of over 10 years, this Shiraz can proudly wear the St Hugo name.