A wine with an enviable track record of longevity and certainly one that has remained true to its regional routes. Deeply coloured with classic Barossan aromas of blackberry, macerated plums, baking spices, licorice, cedar, vanillin and dark chocolate, the 2018 cuts a full-bodied line across the palate, swelling with opulent berry fruits on the mid-palate. Broody too with a distinct coal dust/graphite edge to the proceedings and grainy, tight tannins tugging at the roof of the mouth. It'll be long-lived – that's for sure – and it shows great fruit intensity and persistence of flavour. One for the lovers of the 'classic' style of Barossan wines.

2018 St Hallett Shiraz Old Block via winecompanion.com.au

Since its inception in 1980, Old Block has been made from a mix of vines over 40 years old, although recent years has seen a subtle shift in style, with a higher percentage of Eden Valley fruit introducing a richer violet perfume and more lively palate to the raw muscle of Barossa plains fruit. This blend shows liquorice and sharp blackberry punctuated by brighter summer berries all rolled in molten chocolate, propelled by bright acidity.

St Hallett Shiraz Old Block 2018 by David Sly for www.decanter.com

I don’t want to say this too loudly but – it’s pretty good/remarkable that this wine is still $45. Give me this over any of the Penfolds reds, for instance, any day.

This is a super release. Tannic and bold but elegant and long. That’s it, we’re done, just buy a case. It tastes of blackcurrant, bay leaves, toast and redcurrant, with dusty cedar-flecked tannin reaching through. This tannin has an intent to it; a determination. Indeed the same could be said of the wine as a whole. It’s a beauty.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label 2022 via www.winefront.com.au

Here is an amazing trio of facts about Wynns: it has been releasing 'Black Label' wine since 1954, its quality has always been excellent, and it has somehow, in comparative terms, always represented good value. For decades, Wynns has been the backbone of most Australian wine collections thanks to its reliability and incredible cellaring performance. The 2020 vintage lives up to its own history quite beautifully. It's medium bodied, as most of the best wines are. It rolls evenly through the palate, offering blackcurrant and mint, dark olive and (whispers of) tobacco. There's a cool, alpine herb note in there too. Tannin structure and length are both impeccable, as is the overall quality. Cellar with confidence.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label 2022 via www.winecompanion.com.au

Still quite firm and tannic, the 2014 Sandown Cabernet Sauvignon is at the same time highly perfumed, with exquisite aromas of cassis, blueberry and mint. Medium to full-bodied, it should begin drinking well around 2022.

Clarendon Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Sandown Blewitt Springs 2014 via www.robertparker.com

A blend of 70/30% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz. Fermented wild before going into French oak (40% new). Quality, pure and commanding. This is what Coonawarra is all about. Elegance, complexity and power all in one, matched to a tannin profile that feels uncompromised. Sweet tobacco, blackcurrant, spearmint, plum and cedar flavours put on a gala performance. It sure is tannic but, then, the fruit is up to it. Wonderful wine, with a huge future ahead of it.

Penley Estate Eos Cabernet Shiraz Coonawarra 2020 via www.winecompanion.com.au