2009 Jim Barry PB Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

Purchase: $60 from Cellar Door

Nose: Rich Berry fruit with a layer of dustiness.

Palate: This is a big rich wine that will have no problem alongside your meal yet is balanced enough to enjoy on its own. You will enjoy the ripe and generous flavours of chocolate and coffee. A lovely velvety texture and lingering finish. Drinking well now!

Out of 10: 9

Value: OK

2009 Geoff Merrill Sangiovese Merlot Shiraz SMS

Purchase: $9.99 from Crackawines

Nose: Musky earthiness followed by delightful cherry and anise sweetness.

Palate: Luscious mouthfeel with a medium body. Nice balance of black cherry / mulberry fruit and light oak. A textural wine with a bit of Shiraz bight upfront and soft Merlot to lengthen the finish. The Sangiovese is the hero here for pulling it all together.

Out of 10: 9

Value: Excellent

2005 Grant Burge Filsell Old Vine Shiraz

Purchase: ~$35 from Cellar Door

Nose: Still young on the nose! Vanillan Oak.

Palate: Sweet luscious red fruit, this wine persists with flavour. Drinking beautifully at 10 years! This is a wine for the old school Barossa wine lover.

Out of 10: 9

Value: Good

Tasted New Years Eve 2014.

2010 Blue Pyrenees Brut

Purchase: $19.90 from Dan Murphy's

Nose: Lemon

Palate: Fine bead giving good mouthfeel. Lemon citrus fruits and dry finish

Out of 10: 9

Value: Good