South Australia has long had a reputation for turning out rich reds, deep in flavour and complexity. This Shiraz is no exception. Deep, dark, distinctive and delicious, rich in black plums and fragrant spice, this red is made for sipping with fine fare like fillet steak or slow-cooked lamb shanks. Enjoy!

ark Richardson, red specialist at Tyrrell’s calls Heathcote “undoubtedly Australia’s most exciting new red wine producing region.” Buying up vineyards here was the brainchild of Bruce Tyrrell – and it has yielded a red that wins huge numbers of loyal fans every year.

20 years ago, a lightbulb moment resulted in the creation of RedHeads by Tony and Tom Laithwaite. It was a no-gimmicks, no-rules cellar where young, talented (and rebellious) winemakers could moonlight and make small-batch wines that really rocked their boat. Growers started bringing in pick-up loads of their best grapes they wanted 'rescuing' from the mega-blends. RedHeads winemakers began to gain a reputation as the ‘Robinhood of grapes’ – saving parcels to make into handcrafted wines. So popular, the cellar outgrew its original home and, for a few years, it moved from shed to shed. Finally it bought its own vineyard and built a state-of-the-art, off-grid, solar-powered eco winery. RedHeads by name, green by nature, with awards galore.

d'Arenberg's Osborn family are founding members of Australia's First Families of Wine, with the flamboyant Chester Osborn now at the helm. Their iconic 5-level Cube cellar door offers a range of wine experiences including a restaurant and a wine sensory room. This is 2014 release from McLaren Vale's ..."black-red and impenetrable; no shortage of flavour and concentration... a resounding finish. 95pts" Jane Faulkner, The Halliday Wine Companion. Of the name, the d'Arenberg site tells us: "A lodestar is something on which your attention is fixed, and the piceous, pitch black nature of this wine is certain to keep your focus until the bottle is finished."

In 1847, the people of Krondorf began a wine industry that helped lay the foundation for what the Barossa is today. As custodians of this legacy, their winemakers craft modern expressions of signature Barossa varietals. Look for fresh aromas of raspberry and dark berry, bright and textural redcurrants with a hint of spice. Elegant and refined with subtle oak, a persistent length and a supple tannin finish.

Handpicked fruit has been aged in French oak hogs heads and puncheaons to ensure the fruit was the dominant flavour and structure of the wine. On the nose layers of bright red and dark fruits greet you with perfume, spice and earth notes. This is followed by a complex and vibrant palate with a beautiful perfume. Layers of red currants and blueberries integrate with spice, underlayed with French vanilla bean and some earthy notes. It has waves of fine grained chalky tannins and a long finish.

Our scout and buyer for the Languedoc is Mark Hoddy. He's always searching out the vineyards of the Languedoc and further south to the Roussillon, to check out the vintage and the finest parcels of grapes. This is an ace find Mark discovered last vintage via an old friend in Corbières. Close by is Domaine La Lirande, a small estate that enjoyed a great vintage in 2019 and again in 2020 (remember that long, sunny growing season?). The Syrah stood out for quality and, too good to blend, the winemaker kept it solo. Mark reserved the lot in both vintages. Seductive ripe black fruit, velvety, with smoky liquorice and wild herb notes. It's young, so best with hearty dishes and at a barbecue. After a few months, it'll be delicious on its own.