Head Wilton Hill Shiraz Barossa Ranges Wilton Hill is comprised of an old vine vineyard, perched atop the Barossa Ranges as it encroaches on the Eden Valley. The soil, a complex polyglot of sandy loams, limestone and ferrous ironstone over a substrata of mottled quartz. The geology is arguably more intrinsic to the makeup of the wine than the variety, or maker Alex Heads deft hand. This is top- drawer Barossa Grand Cru speaking. Make no mistake! Think a swirl of dark fruits, aromas of iodine, lilac and violet, punctuated with a swab of tapenade-encrusted tannins. Dig deeper and there are scents of smoked meats, thyme, lavender and mocha, trailing across a peppery trail of freshness that tows this full-bodied wine long. Sumptuous gear that is ready for an aggressive decant, or extended time in the cellar.

The 100ha Mira Luna property (including its 7ha vineyard) is part of the much larger Miraval estate and was retained by its American owner, Tom Bove, when he sold to Brad Pitt in 2008. Mira Luna means, roughly, moon-watch. The sites elevation, limestone soils and undulating landscape make its vineyard one of the best in the superior Coteaux Varois en Provence appellation. Since 1993 Bove has renovated and replanted, adopted organic practices and kept yields low all in the name of improving quality. A blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre (Shiraz and Mataro to us), Mira Luna is a dry rosé wine of substance, with more texture and richness than the norm but no less purity and freshness.

TARDIEU-LAURENT Cuvee Speciale, Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Schubert Goose-yard Block Shiraz, Barossa Valley Concentrated, rich and dense, this is Schubert Estate’s flagship wine. The Goose-Yard Block is a classic Barossa Valley Shiraz, characterised power, elegance and poise which earns it regular podium berths. Expect your nose to be tweaked and your mouth to be slapped and to want to come back for more. If well kept in a good cellar, the youthful boisterousness settles into a assured comfort one should expect from the top wine from a 100-year-old winery.

Krondorf 121 Settlers Barossa Valley Shiraz The 121 Settlers Old Vine Shiraz is sourced from a single site at the cooler southern extremity of Barossa, in St. Jakobi, abutting the western ridge of the Lyndoch sub-zone. Here, a conflation of red clay and loam promotes earlier ripening, a mitigating factor against inclement weather and the growing risk of early season frosts that Climate Change has foisted upon us. As importantly these dense soils imbue the wines with a firm tannic carriage, ensuring passage to greater complexity in the cellar, while serving as a structural harness for typically exuberant Barossan fruit. The average age of the vines is in excess of 35 years, with gnarled octogenarian survivors among them. Yields are inherently low as the established root systems reach deep below the soils substrata in search of water and the requisite nutrients drawn through it. Yet the fruit that is produced is immaculate: vibrant, concentrated and firmly stamped with the regional postcode of generosity. The winemaking is dutifully sensitive, chaperoning the fruit from vineyard to bottle with minimal intrusion: gravity feeds, gentle pigeage and 16-18 months in used, rather than new, oak. The result is one of dark fruit allusions from plum to blackberry, underlain by a potpourri of spice including black pepper, clove and star anise, all melded to a pungent thread of mineral. The oak is apparent, but only as an adjunct to propel the finish long. As with many Barossan greats, the fruit weight allows for early appeal, albeit, this is a wine that will easily cellar for 15 years onwards.

Medium bodied with the plush dark berry fruit framed by fine grained tannins to give a long and persistent finish.

McLaren Vale’s Mediterranean climate and diverse soils contribute to the wine’s complexity, allowing the Octavian Shiraz to showcase ripe blackberry, plum, and mulberry notes, often complemented by undertones of dark chocolate, liquorice, and a subtle savoury edge. The palate is typically smooth and structured, with velvety tannins and balanced acidity, ensuring both immediate drinkability and cellaring potential. The influence of French and American oak adds depth and gentle spice, while the careful winemaking approach preserves the fruit’s purity and regional character.