Commercial Bargain of the Year in The Big Red Wine Book (2009/2010)

Gramp’s Shiraz 2006 ($19): It has now won this award two years running – an incredible achievement in itself – and, seeing as this year we were especially focused on finding the best bargains, to stand the tallest once again is some feat. Its secret? Dollar for dollar it delivers more dark, hearty, luscious flavour than just about any other red we reviewed, while at the same time avoiding seeming overdone. It’s a great wine to cuddle up to on a cold night; no wonder it does so well in this book!

This has become one of the most consistent performers in Australian wine. Great concentration of flavour for the bucks. The 2004 and 2005 releases were stars, but this is arguably better again. The most beautiful blokey red in town. It’s loaded with flavour – coffee beans, blackberry, jubes and sweet raspberries – all of it flowing smoothly through to a more than satisfactory finish. Lovely texture, tannin structure and toasty, dark-fruited flavour. Great winter red. Drink: 2009–2014. Price $19; Seal - Screwcap; Value * * * * * Score: 94 points The Big Red Wine Book; Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh.

#3 in The Big Red Wine Book (2009/2010) Top 100 Reds Under $20

Consistent performer over the past few years. Great concentration of flavour for the bucks. The 2004 and 2005 releases were stars, but this could be better than both of them. Warning though: this is old-fashioned, oak-slathered stuff. In a good way. If you are into this style of wine. Indeed it could well be the most blokey red in town. It’s loaded with flavour – coffee beans, blackberry, jubes and sweet raspberries – all of it flowing smoothly through to a more than satisfactory finish. Food texture, tannin structure and toasty, dark-fruited flavour. Lots of creamy oak. Great winter red. Rated : 93 Points Alcohol : 14.5% Price : $19 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2009 - 2014 Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front

This is lip-smacking, luscious and plentiful Aussie Shiraz which is a throw back to the McLaren and Barossa reds many of us were weaned on. Indeed it is very hard to disagree with the accompanying blurb which describes it as 'a classic Australian Shiraz style'. Deeply yet brightly coloured, it has lashings of dark berry and mocha fruit characters, very generous oak support and a tannin structure befitting a super premium from SA. Excellent stuff for big red lovers and the only downside is this will be the last of the super 2006 vintage, we do not have re-ordering capabilities on this! Now – 2016+; Quality: Excellent BW; WineStar© July 2009

Vibrant, deeply flavoured and neatly polished, with an intense floral, violet-like perfume of cassis, dark plums and sweet cedar/vanilla oak. It's long, elegant and tightly structured, with sweet berry/plum fruit knit with fine, pliant tannins and backed by a measured, secondary element of oak. It finishing with pleasing length and roundness, with lingering nuances of mint and menthol. There's sufficient depth and balance to encourage some development in the bottle.(17.2/90, YTD 2011-2014+) Jeremy Oliver

Densely coloured; a dark fruitcake wine with extravagant levels of ripe fruit; warm, thick and ample on the palate, with chewy tannin and a distinct mocha flavour to the finish. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 90 Drink 2015 $20 Date Tasted Jan 09 James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2010 Edition.