SCHILD ESTATE Moorooroo Shiraz, Barossa Valley

From a stunning vintage, this is simply sumptuous. Always a tiny release, coming from the four remaining rows of Shiraz which were planted by Ann Jacobs in 1847, from the Moorooroo sub-region. Deep purple maroon, this is seriously concentrated but offering beautiful fragrances. Chocolate, plums, mocha, spices, licorice, cassis and violets. There is already good complexity evident. A wine of intensity and generosity, ripe and finely balanced, with extreme length and silky tannins. Good energy throughout, in good cellars, it will sail through fifteen years and more. Classic Barossa Shiraz from very old vines. 

WOLF BLASS WINES Platinum Label Medlands Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Very dense, concentrated, glass-staining purple-red colour; the bouquet likewise luxuriously dense and concentrated, with luscious blackberry and spice flavours. A whopping wine with tremendous intensity, concentration and drive, and mercifully not top-heavy with coconutty oak. I suspect French oak has been used—very different from the Grey Label Shiraz.Toasted nuts, cocoa powder, chocolate/mocha and fruitcake. A massively proportioned and generously flavoured wine with amazingly fine, soft tannins. A ripping wine—all it needs is time.

HEWITSON Cask 66 Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Wonderfully fruited and richly expressed, showing black and purple fruit intensity, violet, warm spice and toasty oak characters on the nose. The palate deliers terrific weight and plump mouthfeel, wonderfully supported by velvety texture and beautifully melded tannins, finishing persistent and sumptuous. At its best: now to 2037.