The Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz is a relatively new addition to the Penfolds stable, sourced from the Barossan sub-district, Marananga. Simply a revelation, this wine is an inky, black beast in the glass with lashings of dark chocolate and coffee accented fruit, yet this years offering shows a lingering, soft structured finish that will see the wine cellar very nicely.

Penfolds RWT Shiraz is a big juicy Barossan Shiraz refined by the use of older French oak barrels. 1998 is considered to be one of the classic vintages of the modern age. Drinking wonderfully now but with many years still to come in its development, this is a great addition to any cellar.

St Henri is a time-honoured and alternative expression of shiraz, and an intriguing counterpoint to Grange. It is unusual among high quality Australian red wines as it does not rely on any new oak. A wine that immediately invokes interest, black cherry, mulberry, blackcurrant, boysenberry and more are propelled from the glass. A subliminal waft of stare anise and savoury spices (not sweet) hover above. On the palate, red and dark-fruited, a compote of fresh prune and quince.

A very impressive Museum Release Reserve Shiraz from a single Barossa Valley vineyard, with two 96pt scores. Ken Garget WinePilot tells us it's from "Old vines from a single site…" but Ray Jordan is more dramatic: “Wow, this is Barossa Shiraz—it’s big, it’s bold, but there is a classy refinement here… It’s an opulent, plush, and generous style of Shiraz that captures what was a very good year in the Barossa. Dark prune-like characters with plums, dark cherry, and some spicy savoriness as well, with that final richer dark chocolate coating completing what is an excellent wine. 96pts.” (Ray Jordan, WinePilot). Sam Kim, Wine Orbit is just as enthusiastic: “This is powerful with refinement, showing dark fruit richness, toasted spice, smoked game, assorted nut, and dark cocoa characters on the nose, leading to a superbly weighted palate offering seductive complexity with velvety texture, finishing impressively long and plush. Wonderfully harmonious and structured with excellent depth and opulence. 96pts”.

Righteous to be called a true Barossa Shiraz; Teusner FG Shiraz is bold, packed with intense black fruits, mocha and sweet spices on the nose. Great balance in oak use, giving the wine structured tannins and extra vanilla oak flavour as the back bone on the palate. Hand picked grapes from one of the oldest vines in Barossa. This is certainly one of those wines that could impress!