A magnificent wine when made well, Viognier is such a versatile style, and its overtness, I think, is its appeal. Oozing lashings of apricots, frangipani’s and gardenias, the nose excites while the palate salivates. It’s oily, viscous texture slides down the palate, and enhances the floral notes. There’s a touch of spice here that I really like too. -DD

Massena has taken the GSM we are so familiar with from the Barossa and added one of the most popular red varieties in Europe, Cinsault, to create a wine with exceptional depth and length. The tannins are astringent and long, backed up with a lifted meaty texture. - SG

It's always an interesting exercise to taste consecutive vintages of a wine. It's a great way to explore the nature of the different conditions that produced the flavours each year. Echoing a warm vintage, the 2008 Eleventh Hour Shiraz is touch softer and richer than the previous release. Sweet black jubes, red and black liquorice, tea and cinammon combine with a little pepper in a lip smacking package that's drinking smoothly already. If you can, grab a bottle of both the 2007 & the 2008 and hold your own little tasting experiment. You'll get to know the wine a lot better. -JP

Archetypal Barossa Shiraz and all the better for it. Sweet blackberries and soft plums are lit up by vibrant red fruit. There is a distinct meaty and earthy quality from the mid-palate on and the ropey tannins guide a truly gratifying finish. Some well judged oak sidles up beautifully against these flavours, adding depth and texture but comfortable in letting the superb quality of the fruit do most of the talking. A wonderful expression of terroir and winemaking. -JP

I’m a fan of the Massena gear – have been for many years, and this extremely limited release has not let me down. It is an interesting blend of Shiraz (88%) and Petite Sirah (12%), otherwise known as Durif – and it works a treat; a complete expose of subtle winemaking. - DD

Many suggest the Barossa Valley should be as well known for its Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre blends as it is for its straight varietal Shiraz, and with a wine like this it is easy to see why. It's packed with curranty flavour that slides down so very smoothly. Redcurrants, plums, stewed rhubarb and spice all play their part. Some choc/vanilla oak adds extra interest. It's smooth, supple and sweet on entry with a nice rasp of tannin keeping things from getting out of hand. Savoury dark chocolate & spice notes feature on the finish with a hint of caramel too. A sprinkle of ground coffee rounds out an impressive offering from Massena. -JP

Ominous colours stain the glass as you swirl the 2008 release of this wine. There's no doubting this is petite syrah, or durif, right down to its black heart. Tar, blackcurrants, burnt sugar,vanilla and baking spice present on the nose. Rich red and black curranty flavours power through the palate which is harnessed by dense melted caramel tannins. Cinnamon, citrus rind and anise along with some earthy notes add more layers and depth. Further richness comes via dark chocolate, sweet cherry, plum pudding and brown spice. A monolithic wine suited to the hearty flavours we're all looking to enjoy at the table this winter. Give it a good hour in the decanter to allow the layered flavours and aromas to fully express themselves. -JP

Rosé is such a great drink. Many are sweet, some are bone dry and most are light and easy. Massena has taken rosé to a new level with this wine. It is so good that with it swirling around your mouth you would easily be forgiven for thinking it was a much bigger wine. It is full of paradoxes, dry but sweet, light but very complex and endlessly appealing. - SG