James Stanley Malpas, born of Willunga, served with the 27th Infantry Battalion AIF during World War I in Gallipoli and France, decorated with the distinguished Military Cross, he returned to McLaren Vale and cleared the land known as Fox Creek. Three quarters old vine Shiraz, a fifth of Cabernet and soupçon of Franc, JSM makes a wine of complexity, substance and panache, it's all luscious fruit, framed by long textural Cabernet tannins, fully integrated and balanced by the patience of nineteen months in the pick of well seasoned oak.

The historic Fire Block vineyard was named for its dangerous proximity to the passing, flame powered railway engines of yesteryear, imperilled by the sparks of the locomotives that often ignited bushfires. Biodynamically grown Shiraz is vinified in the traditional old world way, fermented in four tonne batches, lovingly basket pressed, aged in a combination of French oak barriques and American oak hogsheads. Vibrant bouquet with plum, spice and currant characters, generously flavoured and richly proportioned, showing very well in its youth, a long, illustrious future is assured.

From a small precious block, atop the wonderful Fire Block parcel of dry grown vines, planted way back in 1926, a salient example of old Clare Valley Shiraz. An unirrigated and hand pruned site, the vineyard practices, trellising methods and control of yields, are determined by only one criterion‚ to preserve the integrity of fruit each and every vintage. Concentration of elegant flavours, powerfully intense, yet exhibiting real elegance and charm. Pepper and plum, a touch of leather and spice, a lively palate expressing toasty berries, vinosity, spices and stalk supported by long gritty tannins.

Fire Block was excised from a large grazing property in 1923, out of concern that sparks from passing locomotives on the new Clare Valley railway could start bushfires. Situated on the western slope of the Valley, established to vines in 1926, the gnarled old veterans of Fire Block are grown to traditional dryland viticulture, with no systemic sprays or chemical fertilizers. From one of the most parched sites in Valley Clare, the vines sprout bunches of tiny shrivelled berries, yielding small volumes of intensely flavoured juices, to be vinified by the eminent O'Leary Walker winemaking team.

A conspicuous over achiever, Halls Gap Vineyard has been source to some of the most memorable vintages Seppelt, Penfold and Mount Langi Ghiran. Established 1969 to a propitious eastern facing slope at 260 metres above the sea, Halls Gap is all about the monumental nature of Grampians Shiraz. Treated to a traditional course of open vat ferments, hand plungings and extended term of eighteen months maturation, Fallen Giants articulates the imposing structure and fruit saturation which defines Grampians Shiraz, opaque, succulent and piquantly spiced.

Fallen Giants is a reference to local folklore, a canon of indigenous myths about how the Grampians were formed by colossal birds as they struggled for primacy. The auspicious vineyard at Halls Gap contains a superior block of old Cabernet vines which yield less than a tonne and a half per acre. Wrought through the full tradition of old world winemaking techniques, a magnificent construct of Cabernet Sauvignon with imposing ebony fruit characters and dauntless, epic tannins, treat your Fallen Giants to a brew of ox cheek and kipflers, trotters and truffled red wine Jus.

A mostly old vines Grenache wine with a tenth of Carignan, planted by the Heldbig family on their Greenock farm in 1915. Parcels are hand picked and crushed into traditional open top, concrete fermenters for a long cool vinification and eight months of age in a selection of well seasoned French oak puncheons. A stunningly perfumed wine, marked by pretty cherry torte characters, strawberries and cream, berry punnet freshness and crisp raspberry notes. Its stealthy tannins and juicy bucolic savouryness resolve on a judiciously warming, fragrantly fruit filled finish.

The hidden gem in the Elderton portfolio, a perennial favourite on the national wine show circuit. It was postulated that by assembling the finest components of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz which Elderton could produce, a truly wonderful wine would be created. This is Ode to Lorraine, a rigorous selection is conducted each year to isolate the best barrels, much of which are earmarked for the estate flagships. An exceptionally well rounded claret style, born out of extensive sessions around the tasting bench.

Neil and Lorraine Ashmead were Barossa road warriors, travelling between tastings and competitions in a car loaded with Elderton, on a never ending journey to promote the virtues of good Barossa wine. A compilation of elite estate parcels up to eighty years of age, picked off superior sites at Nuriootpa and Greenock, treated to old fashioned open ferments and fifteen months of age on gross lees in the luxury of new 300 litres French oak puncheons. Shiraz of exuberace, evolving in the glass as it breathes, articulating meaty savouryness juicy black jube fruits.

From an invaluable parcel of vine at Greenock, planted by the Helbig family in 1915. Hand picked grapes are gently crushed into two large 1500 litres barrels, sealed for six weeks of maceration and fermentation on skins, followed by a press to a luxurious selection of finely coopered French oak for two years maturation. A stunning wine in true, old vine Barossa blockbuster styling, densely figured with black and blueberries, cinnamon and clove spice, its voluptuous, opulent palate unravelling layers of complexity and splendour as it lingers on a finish of immeasurable length.

From blocks of old, estate grown Shiraz vines planted to the banks of North Para River at Nuriootpa. Elderton was transformed from a vineyard supplying quality fruit to other wineries into an internationally renowned estate, having won much acclaim for Shiraz. There are twelve blocks of Shiraz at Elderton, some as old as a hundred years, planted to deep alluvial soils over limestone. Combined with a Mediterranean climate and minimal supplemented irrigation, this creates what savant Robert Parker describes as the perfect Shiraz vineyard.

Elderton Cabernet was winner of the prestigious Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy in 1993, the following years it claimed back to back Gold and Trophy at the Barossa Wine Show. The 1994 vintage gave Elderton its first international Gold medal in London, an unbroken tradition of remarkable vintages have embossed the Elderton Estate name as a national champion, being chosen by Qantas for service in first class. The superior quality of fruit grown to Elderton's fifty year old estate Cabernet vines, yield a wine of intensity, opulence and grace.

Langtons Excellent Classification. From ancient vines planted in the 1890s, Elderton Command has established an enviable reputation since inaugural vintage, one of Australia's most eminent icon wines. Accolades have come from the world over, the 1992 was rated by Robert Parker as one of the world's top eighty wines. Vintage 1996 claimed Trophy for best Shiraz in the world at the prestigious London International Wine and Spirit Competition.

Excellent Langtons Classification. Elderton Command has established an enviable reputation, truly one of Australia's most esteemed flagship wines. Accolades are sent from every corner of the globe with every annual release. Vintage 1992 was selected by Robert Parker as one of the world's top wines. The 1995 Command was awarded 95 points by Wine Spectator and placed in their TOP 1OO, vintage 2000 was awarded 97 points and also made the TOP 1OO. Vintage 1996 claimed Trophy for Best Shiraz in the World at the prestigious London International.

Excellent Langtons Classification. Winner of Australia's most coveted award, the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for vintage 1992, Elderton are one of the nation's great icon winemakers. Elderton's matriarch and principal, Lorraine Ashmead, is the driving force behind one of our nation's most eminent luxury brands and one of the world's great wines. Command Shiraz has established an enviable reputation since the first vintage in 1984, establishing a peerless reputation internationally as a stately new world Shiraz.

Elderton know what it takes to make Australia's best Cabernet Sauvignon, having claimed multiple trophies including the 1993 Jimmy Watson. The Ashmead block has consistently produced small parcels of outstanding quality fruit. Traditionally the wines from this site are blended into the Estate range, however in 1998 Lorraine Ashmead realized the excellence of fruit and released it as a pure single vineyard wine.

The first and final word in world class Barossa Cabernet, aged in a luxurious selection of completely new French oak hogsheads. The Ashmead block is so low yielding that it was almost gutted and re established to more productive plantings. The vines suffer from the notorious Dead Arm disease but yields an extraordinary quality of fruit. Fortunately for the world of wine, Ashmead was retained as an Australian Grand Cru Classe. Elderton are not unfamiliar with ultra Cabernet, having claimed significant trophies including the 1993 Jimmy Watson.

Outstanding Langtons Classification. From vines averaging sixty years of age, a monopole that has gone from strength to strength, ever since the qabal of distinguished Barossa growers resolved to establish their own label. Previous vintages have won numerous awards and medals on the wine show circuits in Australia and overseas, reiterating E&E's legendary status with the large number of international devotees. At every stage of vinification there is uncompromising attention to detail.

Previously known as the Old Vines Shiraz, a portion of the fruit comes off vines purchased by Joseph Rowe Osborn almost a century ago. Joseph was one of the most successful racehorse owners in South Australia until 1912, when he sold his stable to buy the d'Arenberg property. Footbolt was one of Joseph's champion horses. A very approachable wine in its youth, the soft rich middle palate, terrific texture and long rolling finish, can last for decades, as a half century of exquisite vintages have shown. Always decant The Footbolt before service.

Dandelion are proven plantings of worldly vines which have stood the test of time. The Lionheart of Dandelion is a very old Barossa site, named for seminal Barossa grower Carl Lindner. Within this ancient parcel, gnarled vines, many over a hundred years of age, are not only surviving but thriving on their own roots, planted to some of the oldest soils on the planet. The hand picked grapes of this noble garden are crafted into a powerful yet approachable wine, which articulates beautifully, the dignity, generosity and grace of old vines Barossa Shiraz.

An extremely limited edition, crafted from a shrewd cull of the choicest bunches, picked off an elite block of low yelding, dy grown, sixty year old vines, the premiership of Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Claymore have always placed the greatest emphasis on securing the finest parcels, in and around the sacred soils of Watervale. A timely vinification is follwed by two long years in the finest French oak hogsheads, all aimed at achieving the holy grail of moreish fruit, velvet textures and tasty, toothsome tannins.

Clare Valley Shiraz of power and controlled grace, only just tamed after the profligate indulgence of two years maturation in a high proportion of new French oak. A palate of immense weight and stately presence of dulcet, regional blueberry fruit. Best when given some air, Nirvana's expansive perfumes build in the glass, its pretty, spiced oak nose gives way to dense plum fruit, anise and currant, briars and mint. Serve well aired alongside aged beef fillet or sharp matured cheddar, Nirvana defines the august opulence of truly statuesque Clare Valley Shiraz.

Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a quarter of Malbec, red wine for rockers, those who choose to give in to their hedonistic urges. Plush generosity and a layering of flavours, pretty up front but let the wine breathe and suddenly these dry, fine and lightly chewy tannins build on the back palate, lending a savoury edge to the dark fruit richness. A skerrick of Merlot from a block adjacent the Claymore cellar door, sits in the barrel store until called for inclusion as a finishing aid, bringing structure and softness, achieving a seamless wine that leaps to the beat.

This one tastes as good as it sounds, a full flavoured, elegantly structured Shiraz, hand crafted from a superior harvest of Clare Valley fruit, much of it grown to a seventy year old Terra rossa site. Despite its sobering moniker, a stylish and refined Shiraz, full bodied, voluptuous and richly proportioned, layered with Clare complexity. Dark Side will delight Shiraz enthusiasts, its fragrant perfumes and polished structure are a match to fine cuisine, caramelized foie gras or escalope de veau.

Light Pass was one of the first Barossa precincts to be planted to vine. A single Grenache vineyard remains from earliest settlement, still yielding the most precious fruit, it is likely the oldest productive planting of Grenache in the world. Marco Cirillo personally manages each and every vine on this invaluable block, his specialty is Grenache and he maintains a close watch over his priceless old plantings. Much of what he picks off the vine is destined for the mighty Torbreck, he retains a small amount from each vintage to release under his own label.

Melton was christened Graeme but given the nickname Charlie by his long term mentor, the legendary Peter Lehmann. It was during a tour of duty amongst the illustrious vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape that Charlie acquired his deep passion for the sublime grace of old vines Grenache. The Reformation is crafted from precious parcels, hand picked off distinguished Barossa plantings, seventy to a hundred years of age. A mix of destemmed and whole bunch grapes are vinified on skins and pressed into a selection of French and American oak for twenty to thirty months before the final assemblage.

From fruit grown exclusively to the prestigious Blewitt Springs Vineyard, previously the source of Shiraz grapes for several icon wines. Located at an altitude of 300 feet, Blewitt Springs is a small site enjoying cooler climes and longer ripening period than the nearby mesoclimes of Willunga and McLaren Vale. These exceptional, low yielding vines at The Springs are eighty to a hundred twenty years of age and at best yield a precious two tonnes per acre. The unique terroir of the site translates into an elegant single vineyard Shiraz with a profound depth of flavour.

Native Goose is sourced from choice McLaren Vale and Willunga vines, between 45 and 120 years of age, planted to a mixture of rich clay soils and red/ brown loams. A portion is sourced from the estate property at Blewitt Springs, the same block used for the iconic Old Vine Reserve. Moderate rainfalls contribute to a harvest of small berries with a yield of about three tonne per acre. The combination of dry grown viticulture, fertile soils and warm weather concentrates the fruit and makes a deeply flavoured Shiraz wine.

Originally formulated by John Charles Brown OBE in 1954 and crafted to this very day in the exact same manner. Mondeuse plantings were brought to Australia in the early 1900s by the legendary Francois de Castella of St Hubert fame, they have remained the most precious parcel of Brown Brothers heirloom vines since the 1920s. At Milawa, Mondeuse translates into an inky, deeply tannic wine, it forms synergies with the sweet fruit plumpness of Shiraz and statuesque elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon to coalesce into a rich, opulent style of eloquence and structure.

Brothers In Arms are made from the finest Langhorne Creek fruit. The excellence of the brand came to the attention of connoisseurs around the world, Brothers In Arms were ultimately awarded the prestigious George Mackay Trophy for Australia's greatest export. Seamless and stylish, magnificently balanced, this exclusively estate grown effort is harvested off vines which are the progeny of twenty individual historical plantings on the distinguished Metala property at Langhorne Creek. The original Metala site is still producing outstanding wine from plantings which are well over a century old.

The historic Metala Vineyard has been in family hands since since the 1850s. Closely managed by fifth generation viticulturalist Guy Adams, the heritage property is the source of fruit for the national icon Metala label. Adam's family has been growing grapes since 1891, he still keeps a close watch over his vineyard which is just two minutes down the road from home. The pick of Langhorne Creek Shiraz, off three elite estate blocks, is treated to a highly traditional vinification, followed by an extravagant two years repose in a selection of the very finest French oak.

The Adams brothers carry the distinction of farming the oldest family owned Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world. Planted to fourteen rows of Cabernet in 1891 by estate patriarch Arthur Formby, the distinguished Metala property yields some of the most highly sought fruit in the nation. The original plantings remain productive, forming the backbone of fruit for Brothers In Arms. Defined by its redolent cassis, dark bramble and mulberry leaf characters, eighteen months maturation in the finest French oak barriques achieves a seamless palate, the most elegant tannins and refined satin finish.

Laira Vineyard was established by Captain Stentiford in 1893 on a choice parcel of Coonawarra land, one of the salient Terra Rossa plantings. Eric Brand, first Patron of Coonawarra, became custodian of the vineyard more than half a century later. From a selection of the finest grapes, hand picked off the most precious blocks, Stentiford represents the jewel in the crown of Coonawarra Shiraz, a bottle aged wine of peerless quality, matured under the estate cellars until release.

Denominación de Origen Alamansa is at the east of the Iberian peninsula, between La Mancha highlands and the Mediterranean coast. It was bitterly fought over by the Christians and Moors but it is nowadays best known for good red wine. Grenacha is the grape of choice, often vinified alongside an inclusion of Monastrell, it produces a thick succulent wine renowned for its glass coating richness, evocative perfume and silken textures. Intenational industry doyen Robert Parker describes La Atalaya as an amazing value in unrestrained hedonism.

The very limited range of Atalaya are all consistent in their structure and intensity, vintages of the most remarkable concentration, boundless in their generosity yet seamless, they speak volumes about the frugal soils whence they originate. Alaya Tierra is the estate flagship, a powerful, opaque wine, pure Grenache at its old vine, old world finest, crafted from the reduced little berries of fifty year old plantings, tiny yields of precious fruit, picked off the most superior blocks on the thirsty, sun drenched climes of Almansa in Castile La Mancha.

Powder monkeys were rookies during the great age of sail, their job in times of ship to ship combat was to fill the ancient open muzzle cannons with gun powder and shot. A perilous internship aboard the decks on a man of war, in reference to Frank Potts term of seamanship in the Royal Navy. Potts established vines along the banks of Bremer River in the 1850s, he named his first block Powder Monkey, it remains the source of Langhorne Creek's most eminent Shiraz, a stately wine of splendid concentration and remarkable seamlessness.

Excellent Langtons Classification. One of the nation's most enduring wines, vinified from hand picked and sorted grapes grown to the four original Shiraz plantings on the historic, low yielding Great Western blocks.

Pinot Meunier like no other, certainly the most distinguished bottling of its kind anywhere in the new world. Mostly old vine Concongella Pinot Meuniere, from grapes picked off parcels established 1970, with the inclusion of a priceless component of ancient vines 1868 Pinot Noir. A legacy of the Victorian Klondike, originally planted with a view to quenching the thirst of pioneer gold miners. Its brooding nose of freshly turned earth, baked spice and potpourri, precede a punchy, savoury palate of gummy red pectin flavours, undulating over a fine, super satin weave of divine, silky tannins.

Amongst the many priceless bequeaths which are part of the Bests portfolio, are an 1868 planting of Pinot vines, probably established with a view to formulating luxury sparklings in the style of Champagne. A small parcel of Pinot Noir amongst the mostly Pinot Meuniere, later identified as a historically significant mix of Swiss and French clones, may very well be the oldest productive Pinot Noir vines in the world today. A pure bottling of these invaluable heirlooms, redolent of strawberries, powerful and intense, old vine Pinot of extraordinary elegance and finesse, silky of tannin and persistent in length.