McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Maurice O'Shea Shiraz continues lead the pack of great Hunter Valley Shiraz. A lovely return to old form, this Maurice has a striking purple hue to it in the glass. To the nose aromas of liquorice and spice with hints of cedar will beguile. Layers of complex flavours dance across the palate including savoury, spicy dark fruits like dark plums and cherries. A classic of classics.

Barolo Bricco Boschis is rich, seductive and totally beautiful. A radiant Barolo, the wine captures the essence of the year. Sweet red berries, flowers, spices and mint all flesh out in this gorgeous, sexy Barolo. It should drink well pretty much right out of the gate. Stylistically, it shows the personality of the ripe vintage.

Pinot Noir in its most pure form. Outstanding fruit concentration is immediately apparent. A very tight-knit wine in all facets, reflecting the passion and respect that Gary Farr has for this noble grape variety. Knife edge precision, ethereal flavours and a gracious, balanced finish. Bravo.

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.

Dark garnet in colour with ripe black jammy fruits, dry spices and wet leaves on the nose. A mouth-filling tannins and great fruit and acidity balance on the palate. A rather savoury and lingering finish.