1 | Wine | Barossa, 91 to 95

"Glass-staining purple. An expressive, heady bouquet gives out candied red fruits, potpourri and Asian spices, with a smoky nuance gaining power in the glass. Rich but lively, offering vibrant raspberry and cherry-cola flavors and notes of allspice and star anise. Sweet and silky on a finish that keeps on with impressive tenacity and spiciness. This wine always delivers outstanding value."

"Inky ruby. Powerful spice-accented aromas of dark fruit preserves, cola and candied violet, with a subtle vanilla nuance in the background. Potent, palate-coating blackberry and mulberry flavors are enlivened by juicy acidity and pick up an exotic peach pit nuance with air. Finishes smooth and sweet, with lingering licorice and floral notes."

"The 2006 Shiraz Command is a glass-coating opaque purple. Aromas of scorched earth, pencil lead, sandalwood, meat blood, game, and blueberry are followed by a dense, voluptuous, layered Shiraz with tons of flavor."

"Very deep garnet colored with a touch of brick, the 2008 Basket Pressed Shiraz offers a complex nose of mulberries, blackberry preserves and dried plums over hints of baking spices, Ceylon tea, tobacco and sandalwood. Very full bodied, big and powerful in the mouth, it offers generous layers of warm berry, dried fruit and baking spice layers supported by refreshing acidity and a medium to firm level of rounded tannins. The finish is long, spicy and just a little warm."

"Pungent bouquet evokes cherry compote, cassis, pipe tobacco and rose, with notes of vanilla and mocha gaining strength with air. Deeply pitched dark fruit flavors show impressive vivacity and pick up oak spice and herb character on the back half. Dusty tannins add shape to the long, spicy, appealingly sweet finish. Drinks easily now but this has the depth and balance to reward patience."

"Bright purple. Intense dark berry and cherry pit aromas are complemented by notes of vanilla, violet and cracked pepper. Juicy and focused, offering spicy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors and a suggestion of candied flowers. Dusty tannins add shape and grip to the long, spicy and gently sweet finish. Definitely give this wine a little air time."

"This is supple and inviting, polished and expressive, with cherry, cinnamon, raspberry and roasted meat flavors, which linger on the long finish."

"Only made in select years (2007 and 2003 thus far), Ode to Lorraine is a wine made in homage to Al and Cameron’s mum, who remains the “uberboss” of the operation. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Shiraz and 8% Merlot, the 2008 Ode to Lorraine spent 18 months in new and seasoned French and American hogsheads. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives intense blueberry, black currant and spice box aromas with hints of prunes, licorice and some earth. Rich and full-bodied with medium to firm grainy tannins and plenty of enlivening acid, it finishes long with layers of mulberry and spice flavors. Approachable now, it should soften more in a year or so and drink best from 2012 to 2020+."

"Firm, focused and juicy with currant and plum fruit that mingles with coffee and toasted bread notes as the finish lingers against well-integrated tannins."