From two small vineyards that stood out for their ability to capture true McLaren Vale chocolate, spices and an amazing depth of red fruits and blackberry.

Utilising the winemaking talents of Larry Cherubino and over 40 years of winemaking experience himself, Robert Oatley lends his name to this McLaren Vale Shiraz that has all the hallmarks of an exceptional regional example. Matured for 10 months in French oak and sourced from fruit from around the sub-region of Blewitt Springs, this Shiraz is opulent, fleshy and textured with flavours of blueberries and spice with a lingering, soft finish.

Ben Riggs has hand-crafted a delicious Shiraz Cabernet Merlot blend here that pays homage to the three-spiked prickle that can be found in the McLaren Vale region and the fact that it's hard to ignore. This unctuous red blend is also extremely hard to ignore with its seamless varietal integration that produces a wine full of richness and opulence. Ripe, dark berry fruits courtesy of Merlot along with spice elements from the Shiraz and a firm, but balanced structure from the Cabernet all come together superbly.

Church Block first appeared back in 1972 under the watchful eye of Greg Trott and was taken by one of the original vineyards that ran alongside the small Bethany Church, across the road from Wirra Wirra's old ironstone cellars. Over the last 4 decades, it has become one of Australia's favourites. The 2005 Church Block is showing just what a little patience can do. After six years, the velvet texture is the dominant feature with integrated tannin taking a backseat.

In the glass the 2010 S has a black core with a deep red rim. There are elegant aromas of red black fruits, and spicy earthy notes with a hint of grilled meats, graphite and controlled oak. On the palate the fruit continues with rich plums, and blueberries and delicate spice and chocolate which all roll on to a juicy palate with fine tannins that go on ... and on. Smidge recommends drinking this wine betwen 2014 and 2030.

The EJ Shiraz is the jewel in Paxton's organic and biodynamic crown. Awarded 95 points in the Halliday Wine Companion 2017, this wine is the result of low yielding vines that are more than a century old. The flavour is elegant and round and the nose offers vanilla, black current and oak.

Pirramimma Shiraz is full-fruited and powerful, with sweet plum and mocha along with cinnamon notes and dark chocolate which are all typical regional characters of McLaren Vale.

Produced from a mature low yielding vineyard in the heart of McLaren Vale, Gemtree Uncut Shiraz is a superb expression of the region. Generous dark fruits abounds on the palate with fine tannins and balanced acidity, which leads to a lengthy finish.

Tintara are not only a historic winery in South Australia, they are also embracing modern winemaking techniques to produce flavoursome and full-bodied Shiraz like this beauty from McLaren Vale. Displaying concentrated flavours of dark forest fruits, plum and cocoa to complement the sweet vanilla oak. Fine grained tannin carries the balance of this luscious McLaren red which gives the palate a rich and even persistence.

Coriole's Redstone is an elegant, savoury and spicy expression of McLaren Vale. Ready to enjoy now the palate is balanced and soft with cassis and blackberry flavours, nice tannins and subtle oak complexity.