2012 Zontes Footstep Baron Von Nemesis Shiraz

Purchase: $14.99 from Crackawines

Nose: Berry.

Palate: With a fruity sweetness this wine is very approachable. The tannins are soft to the point of barely detectable.

Out of 10: 7

Value: Good

2012 Wynns Siding Cabernet Sauvignon

Purchase: $14.99 from Crackawines

Nose: Rasperry and herbs.

Palate: Fruit follows through initially but moves to savoury full body, with cedary notes. The dry tannins give a long finish.

Out of 10: 8

Value: Good

2007 Olssens of Watervale Second Six

Purchase: $13.99 from GetWinesDirect

Nose: Berries and hint of dust, smokey vanillan oak.

Palate: Rich fruits and supple texture. Chocolatey middle, and slightly tart finish.

Out of 10: 8

Value: Good

2011 Geoff Merrill Botham Merrill Willis McLaren Vale Shiraz

Purchase: $13.99 from Crackawines

Nose: Nice bouquet - menthol, licorice.

Palate: Savoury spice, velvety mouthfeel. Tannins are well integrated. Dry dark cherry finish.

Out of 10: 7

Value: Good

2014 O'Leary Walker Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc

Purchase: $18.99 from Dan Murphy's

Nose: Fresh passionfruit.

Palate: Zingy acidity with lemon citrus notes. Refreshingly dry finish.

Out of 10: 7

Value: OK

2013 Brown Brothers Moscato & Sauvignon Blanc

Purchase: $10.40 from Dan Murphy's

Nose: Honeysuckle sweet.

Palate: A syrupy sweetness (but not cloying) with tropical fruits. A sweeter style but not unbearbly so. Enjoy chilled, perhaps as an after dinner finisher.

Out of 10: 6

Value: Good

2011 St Hallett The Reward Cabernet Sauvignon

Purchase: $24.99 from Crackawines

Nose: Dusty earthiness of the Cabernet fruit shows through.

Palate: Spicy for a Cab, and dry! Leaving you with puckered cheeks.

Out of 10: 7

Value: OK

2012 St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz

Purchase: $31.45 from Dan Murphy's

Nose: A quince-like sweetness with some spice.

Palate: Smooth mouthfeel and balanced tannins. It doesn't leap out at you as wow 97 points of value here. I can't fault the structure but its missing an X-factor.

Out of 10: 8

Value: Hmmm.

2011 Alkoomi Shiraz

Purchase: $12.99 from Winestar

Nose: Generous fruity nose and subdued classic shiraz spiciness.

Palate: Theme continues with mouthfeel - big and well rounded, generous and smooth.

Out of 10: 8

Value: Excellent