The Margaret River is famous for its Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends, but after tasting a number of excellent Shirazes from the region I wonder how long before this variety gets added to the list. The 2007 Cape Mentelle is a knockout. Enjoy it now or let it develop further complexity in the cellar. -JP

Clonakilla's flagship Shiraz Viognier is one of the new stars of Australian wine scene. If you want to check out why Tim Kirk's blending of the red and white grapes garners such praise then you can always start with the O'Riada. Shiraz is co-fermented with 6% Viognier to produce a medium bodied wine of delicacy, elegance and true poise. Make sure you give it a good decant if you want to pour it in the next year or two. - JP

The Troll watches on as this Bethany Cabernet fruit ripens – the fruit is far more luscious than you would expect from Barossa Cabernet and perhaps that is due to the Troll’s influence... Sweet raspberry, cherry and spearmint all mix with the gentle Cabernet tannins and generous acid to create this unique Cabernet that is very easy to drink and with such natural fruit sweetness it just slides down. Not for the cellar, this wine is perfect for the Queensland climate –even a gentle chill would not do it any harm. -SG

Something always draws me in to Tim O’Callaghan’s wines. At first it was spotting the strangely labelled bottle at the Rockford Stonewall Cellar Door and then it was experiencing Tim’s winery and his great passion that is larger than life. The Watch Dog hides from sight on the nose, preferring a more subtle approach, while the palate hits you like a freight train – not unlike its canine counterpart. The palate offers so much great Barossa fruit upfront and then a harmonious mixture of Cabernet and Shiraz tannins that follow through to the end. Time has been very generous to this wine and it has many more years still to come. -SG