Every now and then, in life and in wine, we are presented with unique opportunities to express ourselves and create something truly remarkable. When these rare opportunities arise, we need to capture, nurture and develop them so that their potential is fulfilled. So when Torbreck were given the opportunity to work with one of the most famous vineyards in the Barossa Valley, they were determined to use all their experience to ensure the resulting Shiraz was truly remarkable.

Old vines Shiraz grapes were used in the making of this beautifully crafted Torbreck The Struie Shiraz. With the blend of two great regions, Eden and Barossa Valley, the flavours and aromas intensified yet still worked harmoniously together. A more elegant exotic floral aromas are supported by the more brooding notes of tar and chocolate on the nose. Combined with luscious flavours of stew dark fruits and structured tannins, this wine has bold and silky smooth finish.

Back in 1998 Chief Winemaker, Chris Hatcher, decided it was time to take Wolf Blass into the modern world and the result was a single varietal Shiraz that was 100% aged in French Oak, unlike their famous flagship the Black Label which is a blend and aged in American Oak. A wonderful contemporary version of Wolf Blass that is a cavalcade of rich blueberry, blackberry and complex elements of dark chocolate and warm spice. Superbly long on the palate with an obvious hint to a long future in the cellar.

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.

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.

Red wine artisan, Marco Cirillo, has produced a single vineyard Shiraz with as minimal intervention as possible. Using 90% whole berry and 10% whole bunch as well as natural yeast fermentation without fining or filtering, this Shiraz screams of its terroir. Expressive fruit up front of plums and red berries with small waft of leafy characters. The palate dances across the tongue without hindrance from over use of oak and is a supreme wine for the price.

Elderton is one of Australia's great Shiraz producers, year in and year out. Brimming with ripe juicy blood-plum and chocolate flavours, this is almost like Black Forest cake in a bottle!

Kalleske are leaders in organic and biodynamic vine growing and winemaking practices. Their old vine Barossa vineyards are able to produce fruit of the utmost concentration and power. The Eduard is sourced from three dry-grown vineyard blocks that were planted between 1905 and 1960 and which produce extremely low yields. Named after Karl Heinrich 'Eduard' Kalleske who worked the Kalleske vineyards from 1853 until the 1880s. Showing an intense, powerful and full-bodied nose and palate exhibiting dense classic Barossa old vine Shiraz characters. Inky black fruit flavours abound together with harmonized tannins, subtle oak complexity a sturdy structure and great length.

Duck Duck Goose Shiraz is a ripping Barossa Shiraz from Blaxland Vineyards who own and manage over 300 hectares of vineyards in the Barossa Valley. Blaxland have recently been added to Hallidays Wine Companion following a string of good reviews for their wines. The Duck Duck Goose Shiraz is typical Barossa, full bodied with chocolate and black pepper with black cherry notes. A drink now wine that can be matched with a wide variety of foods.

Elderton's Command Shiraz is one old school Barossa Shiraz. Named because of the special treatment the quality fruit 'commanded', this is a Shiraz of foreboding concentration. The fruit for this 'Excellent' Langton's classified Australian icon comes from the century old Elderton vineyard located on the banks of the Para River and is matured in a mixture of French and American oak. This allows the wine to retain its driven power while also giving the wine a level of complexity and balance unique to this region and producer. Elderton's Command can be enjoyed by lovers of ripe and rich fruit early, yet will reward the truly patient with a wine of true beauty when left alone to mature for a decade.