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The 2021 RunRig is an impossibly bright and vibrant wine, with intense power and structure to match the impermeable fruit. Not much more can be said of this wine other than that it came from a magnificent vintage that experienced healthy winter rains in the lead up to the growing season and dry conditions throughout the growing season. The wines have been lauded, and in the case of a wine like this, it is evident why. Like the 2018 vintage, you could drink this anytime, but one would counsel patience. 15% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. (EL)

A refined yet savory nose of blackcurrants, wild blackberries, mocha and iodine. The palate is full-bodied with finely integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of mulberry bush, olive tapenade and ferric earth. Very chewy and structured with an underlying freshness. Delicious.

Memorable, complex, aromatic and explosively deep, with a mix of palo santo, dark chocolate, black olive, espresso and hazelnut butter. The pure fruit at the core is a mix of ripe huckleberry, boysenberry and wild blackberry, with dense but polished tannins. Savory notes of dried rosemary and sage, cigar box, dried apricot and sandalwood linger on the epic finish. *Collectible* (MW)

The 2022 The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz is so pretty—floral, red fruited and fine. This is a beautiful iteration of this wine. Ironically, there's a coastal freshness about it—kelp, brine, crushed shells—given it is nowhere near the coast. It's capacious and mineral and so fresh. The tannins are fine and neat, and the wine has incredible focus and line through the long finish. It's very impressive, potentially one of my favorite releases of this wine to date. It has wholly Barossa fruit this vintage. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. (EL)

Bid on this magnum of 2002 Torbreck "The Factor" Barossa Valley Shiraz (1.5L) (OWC - 99RP, 96JH, 93ST) in original wood. Wine Advocate: "Remarkably, the 2002 The Factor may be even more awesome than the 2001. It boasts a blackberry liqueur-like intensity with chocolatey richness intermixed with blackberries, raspberries, and cherries. The unctuous texture, refreshing acidity, and sweet tannin frame-up this magnificent wine. It should drink well for 15+ years. Interestingly, the 2002 The Factor did not have the Cote Rotie-like roasted element found in the 2001, no doubt because 2002 was a much cooler growing year than the record heat experienced in 2001. (RP)" (10/2004)

Very vibrant with a savory undertone, giving aromas of blood plums, blackberry compote, tobacco leaves and cloves. The palate is full-bodied with finely integrated tannins, bright acidity, a generous mouthfeel and notes of dark cherries, dried herbs, iodine and mocha. A balanced yet powerful blend of 50% grenache, 31% shiraz and 19% mataro. Drink or hold.

A blend of 48/28/13/6/5% grenache/mataro/carignan/counoise/shiraz from vineyards in Lyndoch, Gomersal, Seppeltsfield, Marananga and Greenock. I guess this is the wine that started it all. It's a Côtes du Rhône blend, sharply priced, with a connection to a famous Parisian wine bar; a juicy plum and spice-forward wine that is a joy to drink. Light on the artefact and high in effortless drinkability, finishing stony, spicy, meaty and moreish. A classic. (DB)

A Marananga-born blend of 94/6% shiraz/viognier from the strong 2021 vintage. I guess the Descendant could be considered the 'Baby Run Rig', though, in reality, this probably does the wine a disservice. It's lovely. High-toned and perfumed with some juicy stone fruit tones suffusing through the unctuous spiced plum fruits. Hints of blueberry pie, citrus blossom, veal jus, Chinese barbecue shop, soul-like spice. dried citrus rind, biltong and clove. Velvety in its flow with creamy oak, fine, kinetic tannins and a real textural swell as it slowly fades away. A cracking release. (DB)

NASAA certified organic and biodynamic grenache from blocks 18 and 22 on the Alkina Greenock estate, 100% whole bunches, basket pressed into concrete and a small portion into stainless steel for 6 months. Vibrant, perfumed and just a joy to drink with pretty red cherry and plum fruits bound with ginger spice, purple florals, red licorice and earth. Light and airy with chewy tannin grip, bright acidity and a savoury swish on the exit. (DB)

Deep crimson with aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant pastille and black cherry with hints of dark spice, eucalyptus, turned earth, sage, bay leaf, pressed flowers, licorice and blueberry tart. Some Ribena and herb notes flow in on the palate and there is a broody aspect to the wine's disposition, finishing with chalky tannins and a musky edge to the dark, dark berry fruits. (DB)

Quelle surprise! Penfolds impresses with a multi-regional blend. It's something they do so well; a combination of vineyard resources and masterful blending with such quality and consistency across their 'Bin' range of wines. Deep set satsuma plum, blackberry and blueberry fruits with hints of baking spices, charcuterie, violets, fennel tops, dried herbs, nicely-judged American oak and a gentle earthen hue. There's a lovely, bright fruit presence here; long, flavourful and delicious now with the promise of excellent cellaring potential. (DB)

A blend of two ferments, one larger ferment in concrete tulip with 10% whole berries and 10% whole bunches and a second on full skins (40% whole bunches) in stainless steel. It's then blended, full skins making up 10% of the final wine. Yellow fruited with plum, apple, citrus and a touch of pear, hints of soft, souk-like spice, clotted cream, apple and pear skin, grapefruit pith and stone. Slinky and supple with a textural flow, stony acid drive and long, lemon drop finish. Delicious, textural drinking. (DB)

Luscious dark cherry and plum fruit, along with complexing notes of baking spice, liquorice and woody herbs. Dense and chewy at first, then a burst of acidity and a note of blood orange lift the finish and help it endure for a surprisingly long time. Harvested 1 March-22 April and matured in 11% new and 89% seasoned hogsheads (82% French, 18% American) for 18 months. (NH)

All estate-grown cabernet sauvignon fruit; the breakdown this year from the Elderton vineyards in Craneford (52%) and Nuriootpa (58%). Aged in predominantly older French oak puncheons for 16 months. Deep crimson with a purple edge and opulent aromas of rich blackberry, black cherry and blackcurrant fruits with hints of dark spice, cedar, vanillin, purple floral tones, crème de cassis and a mere whiff of scattered herbs. Impressive fruit and tannin ripeness and a lovely blackberry/blackcurrant pastille finish. (DB)

A blend of 48/28/24% shiraz/grenache/mataro aged for 15 months in French oak. Bright aromas of red and dark plum, mulberry and boysenberry mesh with hints of earth, licorice, spice, roasting meats and violets. Lovely fruit purity with tight-grained tannin providing the framework and bright acidity the pulse, finishing plush and pure. A wonderful red.

This cherry juice-hued Grenache, from the oldest family-owned estate in Australia, exudes fresh red fruit, white pepper and baking spice. Those heady aromas lead to a mid-weight palate that shows lovely snappy freshness and fruit, with fine sandpapery tannins and a spiced red cordial tang to the finish. A modern wine from a quite traditional winery—it’s a breath of fresh air. *Editor's Choice* (CP)

Torbreck was founded in 1994 by winemaker David Powell, who had previously worked at Rockford Wines and developed a passion for the region’s old vineyards. While working in the Barossa, Powell discovered neglected parcels of ancient, dry-grown vines and began restoring them to health. Because he lacked the money to buy vineyards outright, he used a “share-farming” arrangement that allowed him to manage vineyards and receive a portion of the grapes for winemaking. The first wine produced under the Torbreck label was the 1995 RunRig, which was released in 1997 and quickly gained international attention after receiving strong reviews from wine critics. The winery was named after a forest in Scotland where Powell had once worked as a lumberjack.

The stunning 2002 Bishop (100% Shiraz from 40- to 80-year-old vines) was aged for 16 months in primarily old American hogsheads (300-500 liter barrels). This is a superb example of Barossa Shiraz, combining power and concentration with a sense of balance and symmetry. Dense purple-colored with a gorgeous nose of sweet cassis intertwined with new saddle leather, spice box and licorice, this full-bodied, unctuously-textured effort boasts tremendous intensity, good tannic structure, decent acidity, and a long, heady finish. The 14% alcohol content is relatively retrained by Barossa standards. It should drink well for 7-8 years.

Grenache sourced from Seppeltsfield vineyards on the Western Ridge of the Barossa Valley and made by Fiona Donald. What a gorgeous smelling wine! Juicy plum, blueberry and cranberry fruits cut with exotic spices, orange blossom, gingerbread, cola, pomegranate and earth. Juicy and glossy, slinking its way across the palate leaving a trail of gingery spice and ripe plummy fruit. A fine example of contemporary Barossa grenache that speaks to drinkability. (DB)

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2021 Glaetzer "Anaperenna" Cabernet-Shiraz Blend Barossa Valley South Australia (95JH, 93JS, 93RP, 93VN). James Halliday: "Ben Glaetzer does the great Aussie blend well, consistently offering a polished, contemporary take on the very popular wine style. It's a deeply fruited affair, all cassis, blackberry and black cherry tones with impressive weight, depth and purity. It's not a wine for the oak-shy, as the cedar and vanilla tones make their presence felt, but all that fruit just sucks it up like a greedy labrador. Finishing bold with tight, compact powdery tannin and cassis leaving the impression that this will cellar like a champion. Closure: Cork. 15% alcohol. " (02/2023)

Bid on this bottle of 1998 Chris Ringland Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia (OWC - 100RP, 96ST) in original wood. Wine Advocate: "The Chris Ringland (formerly known as Three Rivers Shiraz), which is aged 42 months in 100% new French oak, and is rarely racked until bottling, represents an extraordinary expression of Barossa Shiraz. The perfect 1998, made from a single, 88-year-old vineyard cropped at one ton of fruit per acre, soaked up its wood component as if it is not even present. It boasts a sumptuous texture, great delineation, and a huge fragrance of bacon fat, blackberry liqueur, creme de cassis, toast, espresso roast, and hints of chocolate as well as pepper. Full-bodied yet remarkably well-delineated and fresh, this stunning wine is still a baby, but it promises to evolve for two decades or more. (RP)" (10/2004)

Bid on this bottle of 2002 Chris Ringland Shiraz Barossa Range South Australia (OWC - 100RP) in original wood. Wine Advocate: "The 2002 Chris Ringland Shiraz comes from a great vintage Ringland likens to 1991, 1996, and 1998. It is a more saturated color than the 2001 with a superb perfume of Asian spices, game, bacon, lavender, and blueberry compote. Plush, succulent, and powerful, it will age effortlessly for a decade and provide enjoyment through 2027. (JSM)" (12/2009)

Bid on this bottle of 1999 Chris Ringland Shiraz Barossa Range South Australia (OWC - 98RP) in original wood. Wine Advocate: "The Chris Ringland (formerly known as Three Rivers Shiraz), is aged 42 months in 100% new French oak, and is rarely racked until bottling, represents an extraordinary expression of Barossa Shiraz. The intense 1999, released in 2004, demonstrates that this vintage is somewhat underrated after all the hype over 1998. From a vineyard planted in 1910, its inky/purple color is accompanied by aromas of lavender, lard, smoke, licorice, blackberries, cassis, espresso roast, chocolate, and pepper. Full-bodied, slightly less voluminous than the perfect 1998, with an unctuous texture, sweet tannin, and a 70+ second finish, this magnificent, still young Shiraz should be accessible in 3-5 years, and last for two decades. Drink through 2024. (RP)" (10/2004)

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2000 Greenock Creek "Seven Acre" Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia and 1-bottle of 2001 Greenock Creek "Seven Acre" Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia (98RP). Of the 2001 Greenock Creek "Seven Acre" Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia, Wine Advocate writes: "The 2001 Shiraz Seven Acre is an opulent hussy boasting magnificent fruit concentration, enormous body as well as length, and surprising elegance and purity. As always, the fruit and vineyard character dominate because no new oak is utilized in these offerings. (RP)" (10/2004)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2002 Greenock Creek "Seven Acre" Shiraz Barossa (95RP). Wine Advocate: "The 2002 Shiraz Seven Acre (from 15-year-old vines) is a structured, concentrated, intense effort with inky, blueberry, and blackberry fruit intermixed with camphor and loamy soil notes, fabulous length, and a full-throttle finish that lasts over 45 seconds. If I had to select the number one Australian winery, it would be hard not to choose the Greenock Creek Winery, run by the humble, shy Michael and Annabelle Waugh. The quality that emerges from this estate is extraordinary. In short, these are thrilling, world-class wines that are about as compelling as wine can be. (RP)" (10/2005)

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2002 Greenock Creek "Apricot Block" Shiraz Barossa Valley (96RP) and 1-bottle of 2002 Greenock Creek "Creek Block" Shiraz Barossa Valley (96RP). Of the 2002 Greenock Creek "Apricot Block" Shiraz Barossa Valley, Wine Advocate writes: "The prodigious 2002 Shiraz Apricot Block (only 10-year-old vines) was produced from fruit cropped at 1.5 tons per acre. Its big, peppery, floral, blueberry, blackberry, pen ink, and vanillin-scented bouquet is followed by a wine with a nervous energy that is totally in keeping with the cool 2002 vintage. Dense, with great purity of fruit, a fabulously multi-layered, full-bodied palate, and an inky finish with enormous concentration, sweet tannin, and superb overall balance, this young, unevolved Shiraz should begin to strut its stuff in 3-4 years, and last for two decades. " (10/2005)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2002 Greenock Creek "Alices" Barossa Shiraz (96RP). Wine Advocate: "Flamboyant as well as focused, with laser-like precision, the 2002 Shiraz Alice’s was produced from 7-year-old vines. Dense, with remarkable intensity and wonderful freshness, it is a cool climate Barossa Shiraz with good acidity, enormous concentration, and a backward style that promises to be ethereal with 4-5 more years of bottle age. It should last for two decades or more." (10/2005)

Bid on this bottle of 2018 Torbreck "RunRig" Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia (99DC, 99RP, 98JS, 95JH, 95WS). Wine Advocate: "Torbreck's 2018 RunRig needs a bit of air right now, as the nose and palate truly open up and expand after a while in the glass. Unlike some vintages, it's rather tight and cedary upon first pour, then relaxes to reveal hints of stone fruit, blueberries, cherries, pastry crust and baking spices. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and concentrated, richly textured and marked by ripe tannins, which leave behind a velvety, mouth-coating finish tinged with licorice and dark berries. While approachable now—and even damn enjoyable—it deserves another several years in the cellar. Drink the 2018 Descendant while waiting. (JC)" (06/2021)

The 2004 Emigre, a Rhone-based blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvedre as well as Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, exhibits a sweet perfume of graphite, black fruits, sweet cherries, licorice, smoke, and background vanillin. Full-bodied, rich, textured, and impressively long, it should drink well for 10-15 years ... minimum. 94+ (RP)

The single vineyard 2004 Exile is fashioned from a northern Barossa Shiraz vineyard. A stunning, 100% new French oak-aged blend of 85% Shiraz and the rest primarily Mourvedre, it is a wine of extraordinary intensity as well as aromatic purity. Blackberry, espresso roast, scorched earth, and flower characteristics are found in this full-bodied yet elegant, well-defined effort. (RP)

Remarkably, the 2002 The Factor may be even more awesome than the 2001. It boasts a blackberry liqueur-like intensity with chocolatey richness intermixed with blackberries, raspberries, and cherries. The unctuous texture, refreshing acidity, and sweet tannin frame-up this magnificent wine. It should drink well for 15+ years. Interestingly, the 2002 The Factor did not have the Cote Rotie-like roasted element found in the 2001, no doubt because 2002 was a much cooler growing year than the record heat experienced in 2001. (RP)