Hardys Oomoo was one of the first wines produced by Thomas Hardy at his original Bankside winery. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s it was Hardy’s most recognisable label, the word Oomoo adopted from the local Aboriginal dialect meaning ‘good’ or ‘attractive’. To celebrate and mark Hardys 150th Anniversary in2003, Oomoo was revived as a classic McLaren Vale Shiraz. Today, Oomoo showcases the premium regions of South Australia. Every wine is a true reflection of the variety and the region. The 2005 Hardys Oomoo Sparkling Shiraz is sourced from the premium South Australian region of Clare Valley which produces rich and supple Shiraz that is ideally suited to premium sparkling red. Individual parcels of Clare Valley Shiraz receive gentle handling during the winemaking process with subtle use of oak complementing the structure and extended maturation on yeast lees in order to build complexity and richness. The resultant wine finishes fresh and dry due to the natural tannins and acidity.

There's an old adage that is particularly relevant to the world of wine that if something is too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true. This week we present an offer that is arguably the best we have ever presented, one that sounds just too good to be true. However, in real "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" fashion, this is so real you can feel it, indeed taste it. Long story short to begin with, here is arguably one of the best sparkling reds made in Australia - and I don't put a ceiling on price with that comment - that is again punching well above its twenty dollar retail. It is indeed the 2005 vintage, that is a combination of 1 year in oak, up to 4 years in tirage then bottle age. It is made from 100% Clare Valley Shiraz alongside the $50 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz which this absolutely canes in freshness and vibrancy. It is incredibly a tick under ten bucks a bottle and any the only ones that will be uttering those fateful words "too good to be true" will be those that dawdle and miss out on what is surely the WineStar Sparkling Wine of the Year!

About a year ago we loaded up on the now-discontinued Leasingham Magnus Sparkling Shiraz 2004 at around $15 and the previous vintage of this Oomoo at around $18 and thought life could not get any better so far as Sparkling Shiraz goes. We could quite easily flog this for $15+ per bottle safe in the knowledge that no one will get near our price for the vintage but why not share the spoils I say - it is Christmas after all. The Hardys Oomoo Clare Valley Sparkling Shiraz 2005 is not only the best of the lot; our price smashes any value equation out of the park. A dense, dark red to look at, the bouquet is a menagerie of exotic berries and plum, lashings of chocolate, hints of spicy cherry, liquorice and a guest appearance by some earthy, leathery nuances that add complexity to the Shiraz fruit characters. In the mouth there are lashings of raspberry fruit, chocolate and spice framed by perfectly played oak characters. The mouthfeel is brilliant, soft and supple yet moreish, this is a textural delight that just goes on and on and is all brought together by cleansing acidity. Like a good red, it actually evolves in the glass, the bead never a distraction just a zesty bit player. The level and quality of fruit and wonderful acidity suggest a long life but frankly, for ten bucks - who cares! Drink it now. Excellent stuff! Drink: Now-2015+; Quality: Excellent BW; WineStar© October 2011

The Hardys ‘Oomoo’ Sparkling Shiraz made from 100% Clare Valley fruit has 14.0% alc, and 32.3 g/l residual sugar following one year in oak and four years in triage. Deep, impenetrable purple red in colour, this has a soft and mellow, dusty-earthy nose with savoury, spicy plum aromas peeking through. Dryish on palate, the wine is soft, rounded, easy and creamy, with a sweet, plump and plumy mouthfeel. Lovely spice and pepper notes add a piquancy. The wine is sufficiently full-bodied to handle any full and flavoursome food course. Drinking well now and over the next 4-5 years.  Raymond Chan (NZ)