An unwooded, food friendly style Chardonnay from Russell Wines' Augusta Vineyard in the Krondorf sub-region of the Barossa. It exhibits classic varietal qualities of pear, peach and oatmeal with a bit of old-fashioned butter. Soft in texture with some lovely white grape tannins rounding things off along with a little spice. Who says they don't make 'em like they used to? -JP

Vibrant clean fruit and fresh chestnuts create the basis for this cracking little Chardonnay. The nose is teasingly subtle and delivers more and more as you allow it to open up in the glass. It is varietal and creamy and has just enough acid to balance the intense Chardonnay minerality across the palate. Perfect for almost any lunch occasion and easy to match with light foods, this is a wine that is sure to please. - SG

Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is often overlooked as the underdog to Shiraz. The St. Vincent vineyard, which overlooks the township of Krondorf, creates this beautiful Cabernet that should give us pause. It is varietal and rich, it has lovely acidity and lashings of great oak that will see it mature happily in your cellar for many years to come. Right now, the oak dominates and gives away its youthful vitality, but with patience and time this will be a crowning example of brilliant Barossa Cabernet. - SG

Value and approachability make this a great find. Russell Wines have taken some Shiraz fruit from their Garden Vineyard to create this little gem. It offers opulent savoury fruit and chewy varietal tannins that make you want to go back for more and more. No need to find food, just some good friends and great glasses! - SG

Russell Wines Krondorf vineyard offers up this concentrated Shiraz that has lashings of vanillin toasted oak and shows up brilliant fruit quality with dried currants and spice. This wine has aged beautifully and while it benefits from careful decanting, it is a pleasure to drink. - SG

Ancient vines. What a brilliant expression! That is nothing compared to what we see in the glass of this pinnacle offering from Russell Wines. Shiraz vines need to be loved and understood, Shawn Kalleske has done both and in doing so, he has delivered fruit quality that broods in the glass. It is rich and fruit sweet, but layered with fresh and more austere fruit aromas. There is so much intensity that hours in the decanter do not do it justice. This is a wine for the ages and I haven’t tasted it yet... The palate does not disappoint, it is complete and extravagant, there is oak and endless smooth tannins, there is strong natural acidity and wonderful fruit flavours. It is worth every minute that you watch it in the decanter and every cent. - SG

There is so much to love about Shiraz Cabernet blends, and this 25% Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Russell Wines shows just how good they can be. There are nuances from both varieties and intensity of fruit flavours that make it rich, but just so easy to drink. The Shiraz fights to dominate the nose, but takes over easily on the palate. Try it with your Mum’s terrine or perhaps with a plate of the Barossa’s finest cured meats! - SG

We just love well crafted quirky wines and this one is certainly that. The price tag justifies the harmonious mix of eight different varieties, but the surprise is in the richness and strength of the wine as the white varieties contribute to the blend. Some varieties show their teeth and others provide a supporting role, but there is ripeness in all of them that contribute to the 15.5% alcohol. Tokay dominates the nose while, Grenache and Semillon shine across the palate. 18 months in new French oak ensures that ‘The Fenceline’ has all bases covered. Careful cellaring will see some really interesting flavours emerge, but drink it now, it’s brilliant! - SG