When it comes to the quality and price ($320 a bottle!) of this outstanding Shiraz, the term Super Premium is an understatement. The story of this winery began in, you guessed it, 1847. After the proclamation of a land grant by the Governor for the historic Rowland Flat property, Bavarian immigrant Johann Gramp planted what was the first commercial vineyard in the Barossa Valley. 1847 winery now encompasses some 200 acres of premium estate vineyards. “There's a bright, spicy crunch to the best of '17 Barossa shiraz. This is a refreshingly medium-bodied style laced with red cherries, greengage plums and a hint of black pepper. Tangy acid line and a fine tannin grid carry a finish of impressive persistence... 95pts” (Halliday Wine Companion, Tyson Stelzer).

A significant contribution of fruit from vines which are 100 years old make this one very special blend indeed. There’s a class and sophistication to what is a delicious medium bodied and brightly fruited red. Its savoury nature is so moreish and this really does offer a great alternate red wine drinking experience. Alex Head - Head Wine Winemaker - The Barossa Valley has been witness to the coming of a ‘new wave’ or ‘new breed’ of young talented winemakers. We’ve been intently following Alex Head throughout this time, producing a unique set eye opening Barossan wines, inspirationally drawn from his passion towards Northern Rhone Syrah. Soil and aspect is therefore very much key, imparting style and character and this new release Head Red is no exception.

Deep red with purple hues. The nose is complex with chocolate, coffee and raspberry aromas balanced by lifted liquorice, leather and a hint of white pepper. The palate is rich and full bodied with prominent raspberry flavours, alongside beautifully balanced oak with hints of vanilla. 2018 was a high-quality vintage in Barossa, with good yields and excellent flavours and colours in reds. The growing season started off well, thanks to winter 2017 rainfall being around 10% higher than average. Spring rainfall however, was lower than usual and drier soils, combined with warmer than average October and November days meant the vines grew quickly; flowering well and setting a good number of bunches. January and February were warm and dry, with very warm temperatures in February slowing the pace of ripening. The Indian summer of March and early April proved perfect for finishing off ripening before vintage, capping off a very good year.After picking, the grapes were fermented in a combination of five tonne concrete and seven tonne stainless steel fermenters for 7-12 days. The wine was then racked off into a combination of French and American hogsheads and matured for 22 months. One of the largest landholders in the Barossa, Grant Burge wines is a bastion of well made, value for money wines. Drawing on depth of experience in the region, Grant Burge and his wife Helen established the brand in 1988 and have developed a formidable range of wines across a broad spectrum of price points. The history of the Burge family and their long association with winemaking in the region can be traced back to March 1855, when noted tailor John Burge immigrated to the Barossa from Hillcot, near Pewsey in Wiltshire, England with his wife Eliza and their two sons. John worked as a winemaker at Hillside Vineyards and his love of viticulture was passed onto his son Meshach, who continued the tradition making his first wine in 1865, while becoming a prominent community leader. Meshach married Emma in 1883 and they had eight children. First-born Percival established the Wilsford Winery near Lyndoch in 1928. Percival had two sons, Noel and Colin, and Colin and his wife Nancy had one son, Grant. Following in the footsteps of his father and forefathers before him, Grant carried the winemaking tradition into the 21st century. Grant Burge Wines came under the ownership of the Accolade Wines' family of brands in 2015. Since then, the winery has flourished both nationally and internationally.

"The Barossa is known for its diurnal temperatures - warm days and cool nights - which help to ripen grapes during the day, while locking in the flavour throughout the cool nights. It is these cool nights that act like a guard, protecting and locking in the delicious juicy flavour of a Barossa Shiraz that we all know and love. This Shiraz is the perfect example of a rich barossa shiraz providing you with a lifted plum and blackberry aromas and flavours, followed by soft subtle oak and a fine tannin finish."

St Hugo Cabernet Shiraz displays a dark ruby red with purple hues. The bouquet of dark forest fruits such as plum, blueberry and cassis lead into a beautifully complex palate of blackcurrent, sweet plum and chalky tannins. There is a underlying savoury oak hint and a finish of lingering dark chocolate.

Beginning with Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz's vibrant purple colour, this wine exudes classic Barossa character. The bouquet offers aromas of kirsch, chocolate, berries and warm earth while the palate is laden with rich, ripe and lingering blackberry spice and peppery flavours.

St Hallett and Shiraz goes hand in hand when you start talking about the Barossa. St Hallett Gamekeeper's Shiraz displays lifted and pretty notes of lively purple fruit characters with a delicate hint of violets. Pure red fruits dominate on the palate, with lifted spices of cinnamon. Long, lingering finish.

The Barossa Ink Shiraz is intense purple red in colour with great density. The bouquet is rich with plum, raspberries and dark cherries, with underlying hints of dark chocolate, coffee bean, and spice. This super rich, full bodied wine has a sensual palate offering plenty of texture, fine velvet tannins and soft, round dark fruit flavours.

Generous blue fruits, like mulberries and blueberries, a full and frank Shiraz start. Typical Barossa, generous, flavoursome and super sweet blackberry pie with dark dry chocolate mouth feel. Begins with sweet fruit then tightens up with fine fruit and oak tannin. Great flavour and composition. Sweet spice cuts through and hints of jamminess. Youthful austerity as you would expect from such a classic old school Shiraz but there is also plenty of fineness to the tannin and dark chocolate nuances in the lengthy finish.