2 Trophys Best Red + Best Shiraz & Gold Cowra, Gold Medals Brisbane, R.A.S.Q, Royal Adelaide and Griffith Wine Shows. Yendah is the headquarters of the Casella winemaking operations, and the name of a beautiful Aboriginal girl who once lived with the Tumut tribe. The beauty of the mythical Yendah is captured in the landscape surrounding the village that today bears her name, nestled below the Cocoparra Range in the Riverina. Decadent aromas to this oustanding, dashing table red, enticing flavours of apricot, and yummy hints of cherry.

Named after a set of medieval leg pillories which remain preserved as a museum piece in Oxfordshire. The team at Woodstock consider themselves lucky to be caring for some of the oldest McLaren Vale vines. Fruit for inclusion into The Stocks is sourced from thirty one rows of ancient McLaren Vale vines, planted circa 1900 on a sandy north slope at the Woodstock property, only the most exceptional barrels of aged Shiraz are selected. The palate is plush with an intensity and complexity of flavour that will continue to evolve and mellow in the glass.

William Louis Townsend was granted a Crown Lease in McLaren Vale circa 1905, he made it his home, establishing the original vineyard. It has been known as Woodstock ever since. Doug Collett A.M developed a taste for wine while flying Spitfires over the vineyards of Europe. He was inspired to study Oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College and graduated to manage Australia's biggest wineworks at Berri Estates. Collett acquired the Woodstock property in 1973, establishing Cabernet vines adjacent to the Stocks in 1988.

The Wolf Blass team are beqeathed with an exhaustive range of distinguished old vineyards from which to assemble the finest parcels of Shiraz. Constant contact with growers ensures that vines are coddled to yield harvests of marvelous intensity and exemplary varietal charm. Wolf Blass are on the lookout for fruit that's generously proportioned yet elegant. Components are chosen for the depth and structure they can contribute to the sum of parts, the final wine completes fermentation in luxury oak barrels to infuse exquisite perfumes while taming the earthy tannins.

Woodhenge is about big ideas, in the manner of cyclopean fences built by Australia's early settlers. A wine of great elemental sculpture, the assemblage of individual vineyard and sub-regional characteristics is the key to success of the style. Woodhenge has previously claimed Decanter World Wine Regional Trophy and Gold Visyboard Great Australian Shiraz Challenge. Bold and tightly knit, incorporating ripe berry fruit and integrated oak balanced by velvety tannins, Woodhenge Shiraz, like it's namesake edifice, is solidly structured and imposing.

It's well known that Shiraz and Cabernet make good bedfellows, but in a rare case of three's company, a tranche of Petit Verdot takes Scrubby Rise to another level, contributing vibrant colour and rich fragrances. All three varietals conspire to achieve the balance, elegance and structure of this sensational effort by Wirra Wirra. Scrubby Rise is a triumvirate of solid structure and generous fruit, It's the acid however which keeps the wine fresh without being weighed down by heavy tannins.

RSW is an acronym for Robert Strangways Wigley. He learned his craft during a tenure at Bankside under the tutelage of Thomas Hardy, who claimed to have never known anyone that worked harder than Wigley. RSW's wild pranks as a young man made him somewhat of an embarrassment to his family. In 1893 he was pointedly sent to rusticate in McLaren Vale where he undertook the planting of vines in 1894. By the turn of the century he was proprietor of the most eminent winemaking operation in the district, with a hundred acres under vine.

The topical old world accord of Grenache and Shiraz was the first style of wine to be made after the re-establishment of Wira Wirra in the 1970s. It is occasionally released as a special limited edition when the vagaries of vintage permit, the aim being to construct a likeness of McLaren Vale, as it was decades ago, when the requisite accompaniement to such a wine was meat and three veg. Wirra Wirra Original is equally satisfying today alongside paparadelle and porcini, offal and pistachio ballotine or five spice crackling pork.

Church Block was the first wine which the late Greg Trott produced under the Wirra Wirra label back in 1972. He took the name from one of the original estate vineyards, which runs next to the small Bethany Church est. 1854 across the road from Wirra Wirra's century old ironstone cellars. Over four decades, Church Block has become an Aussie favourite, consistently offering a smooth, soft red wine that balances the complexity sought by ardent enthusiasts, with the approachability desired by those seeking pure red wine drinking pleasure.

From time to time, Wirra Wirra produces wines from very small parcels of extremely intense, high quality fruit. Chook Block is a unique wine which is only assembled in the most outstanding vintages, pointedly one year in four. It is not made to a particular style, winemaking is purely, in a custodial sense, attempting to reflect the remarkable quality of Chook Block Vineyard Shiraz in exceptional years. Bunches are all picked by hand and treated to the highest scrutiny, removing any fruit that is not of the highest order before inclusion.

The late, great Greg Trott, patriarch of Wirra Wirra, saw many of his unusual dreams realised, such as the construction of a cyclopean fence which girts the entrance of the wineworks. One consuming vision however continued to elude him, the building of a medieval siege machine called a trebuchet. Why? To use as a catapult for bombing neighbouring properties with bottles of wine in the hope they would retaliate! A splendid, opulent rendering of Shiraz, brimming with intense fruit, a hint of varietal spice and a touch of Viognier to be different, just like Trotty.

Wirra Wirra International Red Winemaker of the Year at the prestigious 2007 International Wine Challenge Awards Dinner in London. The 2004 vintage Angelus was awarded three Trophies, including Best International Cabernet Sauvignon. An enormous achievement, Wirra Wirra was the only Australian winery to be short-listed for the accolade and beat off stiff international competition. Namesake Chateau Angelus Bordeaux, takes particular exception to the Wirra Wirra wine, labeled as Dead Ringer Cabernet outside of Australia.

Robert Strangways Wigley was an eccentric South Australian cricketer who established Wirra Wirra in 1894. He produced a highly prized Shiraz which was exported to England and the Empire until he passed away in 1925. The cellars fell into disuse after the 1936 vintage and remained inoperable until Greg and Roger Trott rebuilt the ironstone winery by hand in 1969. Tradition has it that the ¾ tonne Angelus bell which sits atop Wirra Wirra was rung thrice daily from the Jesuit Church at Norwood, calling the faithful to prayer.

From some of the oldest Grenache vines in McLaren Vale, picked by hand at maximal ripeness, gently crushed and destemmed into open fermenters, a portion of whole bunches are included for complexity. A fortnight of ferments are hand plunged and pumped over for optimal extractions. Batches are pressed for malolactic and filled to seasoned French oak puncheons for nine months maturation. Heady and lifted, liqueur cherry and wild raspberry, asian spice, ginger, red licorice and rose petal, all framed by lithe, sandy tannins, a generous, graceful Grenache.

An imposing 94 James Halliday points, by one of our nation's most distinguished wineries, superior vineyard McLaren Vale Shiraz that's today selling for $26 at the estate cellar door. Arrives fully labelled in original packaging, with free delivery by the dozen throughout Australia. We can't mention the brand but you'll be suitably pleased, that's over $100 off the dozen price, be quick, as stock is limited. Prestige label McLaren Vale Shiraz at its finest, a fully engaging red wine by one of our nation's most illustrious brands.

Tyrrell is inextricably linked to the story of wine across the great viticultural precincts of Australia. Tyrrell have strayed from their Hunter Valley roots to isolate a superlative site at Willunga, nestled at the heart of McLaren Vale. It features a block of thirty five year old Shiraz vines that consistently produce outstanding fruit. A prolific award winner, Rufus Stone represents salient value for quality, a generous expression of McLaren Vale, endowed with great finesse and displaying ripe, fruit driven Shiraz flavours.

A profound yet approachable construct of Cabernet Sauvignon, assembled from parcels selected on the basis of prominent fruit character, refined tannins and exuberant varietal charm. Components grown to rust coloured Terra Rosa soils infuse the wine with rich berry flavours and dark chocolate tannins. Lost Block has been stylistically fashioned to remain true to the promise of fruit forward, early drinking Cabernet Sauvignon.

After a remarkable five years on the prestigious Wine Spectator Top 1OO, the Two Hands story has gone from strength to strength. The team are focused on injecting their wines with real identity, personality and charm. Lily's Garden is crafted without compromise from fruit grown to superior vineyards within the Two Hands estate portfolio. The palate is filled with rich flavours of raspberries and black pepper spice, liquorice allsorts and plum. The finished wine is an unctuous Shiraz with striking dark colour and cryptic aromas.

After the crushing of grapes and completion of ferments, most red wines are filled to oak, it is here that the ageing barrels must be topped up from time to time, as a portion of the stocks evaporate into thin air. It's known in winemaking parlance as angel's share. A wine of great personality, personable and charismatic, the very best of McLaren Vale in every way, Angels Share articulates the more vivaciously ripe and upfront style of Aussie Shiraz.

From three old, dry grown bush blocks at Blewitt Springs, planted to a benignant terroir of deep ironstone sands. Parcels are separately picked at ideal ripeness, crushed and treated to a measure of whole bunch or wild yeast ferments, regularly hand plunged in a mix of concrete vats and open vessels, followed by a course of age in seasoned oak puncheons. So very redolent of wild cherry, violets, rosemary and spice, its polished, multi layered palate, lined of loquacious, liquorice tanins, textural towards a lengthy aromatic finish.

Thistledown make Grenache with a view to maximising purity of expression, the fruit must be articulate, the finished wine textural and refined. Grenache is collated from some of the finest bush vines in McLaren Vale, an auspicious tally of sites planted to rich mineral soils. Grapes are all hand picked, a third of the harvest is retained as whole bunches. A natural wild yeast ferment is treated to frequent hand plunges until complete dryness. Ten months in well seasoned oak hogsheads achieves a delicious Grenache wine, perfumed, velvet textured and beguiling.

At the Seaview end of Chapel Hill Road, a perfunctory passerine perched her pincers astride a pair of power lines and set herself ablaze. Down she went amongst the dry grown branches of an old Grenache vineyard, setting the valuable veterans alight. The scorched site eventually became part of the Thistledown portfolio, its wizzened old vines make an alluringly perfumed wine that's evocative of florals, petals and pretty Pinot freshness. Cranberries, spices and ripe wild cherry combine with silken textures to define a beautifully elegant Grenache wine.

A pure Grenache wine, crafted from the fruit of some wonderful old sites, hand made in the traditional small batch way. This is Thistledown Grenache No1. Grapes are picked off a number of blocks in the Riverland and McLaren Vale, venerable old vineyards and choice parcels of dry grown bush vine fruit. All are separately vinified in small batches through the action of wild ferments. Whole bunch inclusions and larger format oak achieve a beautifully layered, textural palate, lead by its strawberry and wild spice perfumes, hedonistically bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Partners is named for the founders who established the winemaking operation in 1903. An important part of the Penfolds vineyard portfolio until the 1960s, Tatachilla is now source of fruit for the nation's most prestigious brands. Fully ripe harvests of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are assembled into a smooth, early drinking table red that's ripe with the richness of chocolatey plum flavours and fragrant blackberry spice, its sleek velvet tannins and polished background oak, bringing the wine to a long, savoury drying finish.

Vines were planted at Tatachilla in 1887, today they lie scattered amongst the sloping hills and tapered basin of the McLaren Vale. The abundant variety of soils encourage a kaleidoscope of flavours, whilst the cooling ocean air and rolling gully winds cool the sun warmed grapes, allowing them to reach their full flavour potential without over ripening. A solid McLaren Vale Shiraz by one of the region's elder estates, seamless with a profound depth of flavour over chocolate velvet tannins, to be opened an hour beforehand and served alongside lamb, duck or ripe, piquant cheese.

From choice vineyards in McLaren Vale's southeast, Clarendon and Blewitt Springs, a Cabernet Sauvignon of vibrant fruit, solid structure and succulent textures, with a gentleness that belies it's varietal provenance. The enduring Tatachilla wineworks represent a century of viticulture, still yielding fruit from vines established 1903, when the property was owned and operated by Penfolds. Throughout changes of ownership and an evolution of the national palate, Tatachilla has continued to release a remarkable construct of McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Tatachilla team can be proud of a long and illustrious history, producing the most memorable vintages of salient, award winning regional icon wines. Foundation is the estate flagship, sourced from the pick of crop, assembled from the best blocks on illustrious vineyards at Clarendon and Blewitt Springs, crafted with an uncompromising pursuit of excellence, to articulate the seductive richness and textural elegance of the most exceptional McLaren Vale Shiraz.

A vineyard with a long and proud history, closely connected to Krondorf and Grant Burge, Tapestry is at the very heart of McLaren Vale. Planted in the 1970s, the property's rich ironstone soils and cool coastal climate provide ideal conditions for producing well structured and richly flavoured wines of exceptional quality. A silky, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon in the traditional McLaren Vale style, dominated by black currants and cassis, red capsicum and roast peanut notes, oodles of bramble and black jube, a flourish of cedar and tobacco on the velour tannin finish.

A selection of the finest barrels, Vincent is crafted from Shiraz picked off vines up to forty years of age, very close to Kangarilla Road and the Clarendon Hills, specifically Bays 3 and 4, planted to the elite Bakers Gully site in McLaren Vale, which yields a scant tonne per acre. Vincent is a richly flavoured wine, it begins with a harvest of exceptional quality Shiraz, treated to rigorous selection and an extended maturation. The most stringent standards are applied, the top barrels of vintage, crafted to reflect truth in regionality and pure varietal expression.

Conceptually, an adaptation of the pulp novel Sin on Wheels, realized through an equitable coupling of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Fruit is harvested off fully mature vines, crushed into fermenters and treated to maceration for the optimal extraction of colour and tannins. A course of vinification on skins and pressing into a selection of new and seasoned French oak barriques, for the completion of malolactic and term of maturation. This is Passion, a monster bigger than the three of us that leads us to soapbox, even to grandstand and sometimes pass out on the couch.

Shiraz was Shingleback's first choice, the inaugural vintage of 1998 was released to highly encouraging critical acclaim. Shingleback can now lay claim to a succession of superlative vintages which have collected an industry wishlist of coveted trophies and gold. Generously flavoured, intense with complexity, enhanced by an extravagant oak treatment, vinified from the finest Shiraz grown to the Davey Family Vineyard, home of the 2006 Jimmy Watson. Crafted from vine to bottle without excessive manipulation, gently handled right through to extended ageing.