SUPERLATIVE SHIRAZ

The Barossa Valley is the undisputed home of shiraz in Australia with some of the oldest vines in the world still producing fruit. It’s from these old vine vineyards that the highest quality shiraz wines are produced, these wines could be argued as providing great value.

Calabria Wines, The Iconic, Shiraz, Barossa Valley, 2016

Sub-labelled Grand Reserve, from a 1914 planted vineyard, this overdelivers dark plum, cedary French oak, rich tomato sugo, nori sheet umami and dark chocolate. Exquisite tannins. Full, complex, brooding and powerful. Rating: 97/100. RRP: $175. Alc: 14.5%

Heirloom Vineyards, A’lambra, Shiraz, Barossa Valley, 2019

Screw cap. A magic velvet carpet ride of tannin and youthful tightness. Fleshy layers of plum and chocolate, pink peppercorn and a hint of tobacco leaf spice with intense acidity through the finish. Swaddled and restrained for the moment yet will age easily for 20+ years. Rating: 96/100. RRP: $120. Alc: 14.6%

Ben Glaetzer, Amon-Ra, Shiraz, Barossa Valley, 2019

From vines up to 130 years old. This drips with sumptuous blood plum, sweet oak, gun smoke and ferrous/ meaty blood complexity. A weave of tightly knotted tannins underpin a wine of potent elegance, depth and length. Rating: 95/100. RRP: $100. Alc: 15.5%