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The 2021 Tir na N'og Old Vine Grenache is dark, spicy and brooding on the nose, with layers of Christmas spice, black and red berries and the earthy base of licorice and iodine. In the mouth, the wine silky, dark and statuesque. The tannins are very finely countersunk into the fruit; they are chalky and gently grippy and shape the fruit in the mouth. With very good length of flavor through the finish, this is built to last some time. Very smart. (EL)

The infusion of Sangiovese with the Shiraz has produced a wine of vibrant luminosity. In the mouth, the 2021 Il Briccone is pure and driven by firm fruit tannins that splay through the finish in a chalky, almost chewy way. There is blackberry, raspberry, plum skin and pink peppercorns, with black cherry, cocoa nibs and a hint of chinotto. (EL)

Lucid aromas of mint, thyme, green peppercorn and pencil shavings are layered onto a core of plump cherry and raspberry fruit. Granular, hulking tannins cinch the tongue, but they leave ample space for the juicy red-berry fruit on this unmistakably Aussie Cab.

Nero d'Avola is so often buoyantly juicy, and that can work, but it’s nice to see iterations where the fruit is expressed in a more savoury light. This captures that well. Sure, there are still some bright-fruited black cherry and raspberry notes, but there’s a crusting of spice, an earthiness, some anise, and a lack of overt fruit sweetness, with a dry tannic draw further refining the finish. It works well. (ME)

A tangy lift of plum and blackberries, with subtle herb and spice notes behind, this is a medium-bodied Cab-Shiraz blend with a fresh, juicy appeal and a tug of raspy tannins. (CP)

Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 2000 d'Arenberg "Laughing Magpie" Shiraz-Viognier McLaren Vale South Australia.

Bid on this 4-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 1996 Lengs & Cooter "Swinton" Cabernet Sauvignon and 3-bottles of 2000 Lengs & Cooter "The Victor" Shiraz Blend.

Solid, full-bodied grenache. Not quite the savoriness of the top expressions of the region. This said, there is plenty to like. Already approachable, with ample kirsch, dried rose petal, olive and clove accents. The finish shows sinewy tannins and very good length. Delicious. Drink or hold. Screw cap. (NG)

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2009 Astralis presents a very fruity, floral nose with lifted notes of blueberries. The palate is concentrated with a slight prune character and has very crisp acidity. At this stage the phenolics are showing a little chewy before finishing long. (LPB)

The 2022 Grenache hails from McLaren Vale, bush-vine fruit that was handpicked and made with whole bunches and a wild ferment. It is spacious and spiny on the nose with loads of orange oil tannins and bright, apple and red raspberry fruit in the mouth. The tannins exert a firm style over the fruit, but the fruit rises up to meet it. So, all things considered, this is a balanced and juicy wine, with notes of beeswax, chinotto, sarsaparilla, juniper berries and cherry skin, etc. Good! (EL)

Bid on this 9-bottle tasting lot; including 2-bottles of 1996 Trevor Jones "Dry Grown" Shiraz Barossa Valley, 1-bottle of 1999 Branson "Coach House" Barossa Valley Shiraz, 3-bottles of 2001 Deisen Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia, 1-bottle of 2001 Fox Creek "Reserve" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia (95VN, 94JH), and 2-bottles of 2002 Mr. Riggs Shiraz ((94-96RP), 95JH). Of the 2002 Mr. Riggs Shiraz, Wine Advocate writes: "Aged in 80% French oak and 20% American (of which 60% is new), this barrel sample (to be bottled in November) was immensely impressive. There will be 400 cases of this dense inky/purple-colored Shiraz. It offers a gorgeous nose of licorice, melted road tar, blackberry liqueur, and sweet black currants. There is dazzling palate persistence, tremendous texture, and full body, but the wine is neither heavy nor out of balance. The finish lasts for 45+ seconds. (RP)" (08/2003)

Bid on this bottle of 2010 Mollydooker "Velvet Glove" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia. The tasting note reads: "97 points Jeb Dunnuck: 'Easily the most complete, layered, and pure of the lineup, the 2010 Mollydooker Shiraz Velvet Glove (100% Shiraz aged almost all in 100% new American oak) is a powerful, yet elegant Shiraz that boast stunning aromas of blackberry liqueur, mineral, coffee, roast beef, and hints of flower oil that flow to a full-bodied, seamless, and beautifully balanced palate. While no lightweight, this is remarkably deft and clean on the palate for a wine of this size and shows fantastic purity of fruit, layers of texture, and a brilliantly focused, long finish."

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2004 Clarendon Hills "Astralis" Syrah South Australia (98RP, 98WE, 97WS, 96VN, 95JH). Wine Advocate: "One of Australia’s most prodigious Syrahs, Clarendon Hills’ 2004 Syrah Astralis is fashioned from vines planted in 1920, and spends time in 100% new French oak from the cooper, Cadus. It boasts off the charts intensity as well as an opaque purple color, and notes of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, roasted coffee beans, pepper, smoke, and a hint of sweet toasty oak. This full-bodied, rich, intense, backward Syrah needs 2-3+ hours in the decanter if one is going to approach it at this point in its life. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040+. (RP)" (10/2006)

Bid on 2 bottles of 2002 Clarendon Hills "Astralis" Clarendon South Australia Shiraz (99RP, 95WS, 94JS). Wine Advocate: "... This compelling, black/blue-hued offering from 75-year-old Syrah vines tastes like blood of the vine. An extraordinary perfume of flowers, creme de cassis, blackberries, roasted meat, new saddle leather, and earth is followed by a wine with sweet tannin, sensational concentration, full body, an unctuous texture, and a full-throttle, tannic finish. Yet it reveals unbelievable elegance and finesse. Too many Euro-centric elitists argue that Australian wines are too rich and over the top, but all of these offerings have been made by someone with great talent and vision who takes the extraordinary ripeness and purity of fruit available from these old vine vineyards and crafts them into wines that are quite European in style ... just richer and denser... (RP)" (10/2004)

Bid on this bottle of 2001 Clarendon Hills "Astralis" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia (99RP, 96JS, 95ST). Wine Advocate: "The 2001 Syrah Astralis Vineyard may be just as compelling as the 2002. Tighter because of being in the bottle, it is an extraordinary effort that offers the essence of graphite, blackberry liqueur, espresso, and acacia flowers, all combining into an olfactory smorgasbord for the senses. Sensationally concentrated, with sweet tannin, but neither weighty nor over the top as might be expected for a wine of such extreme richness, it is an extraordinarily well-delineated Syrah that should hit its prime in 10-12 years, and last for 30-40. Hail Caesar ... I mean Roman! (RP)" (08/2003)

Bid on this 9-bottle tasting lot; including 2 1996 Hardys "Eileen Hardy" Shiraz McLaren Vale-Padthaway South Australia, 1 1997 Kay Brothers "Amery Vineyards" Shiraz McLaren Vale, 2 1998 Burge Family "Old Vines" Grenache Barossa Valley South Australia, 1 1998 Fox Creek Grenache/Shiraz, 1 1998 Fox Creek "Reserve" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia (98JD, 96RP, 95ST, 90JH), 1 1999 Cape d'Estaing "Kangaroo Island" South Australia Shiraz , and 1-bottle of 2001 Mitolo "Savitar" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia (94JH, (91-93RP), 92WS). Of the 1998 Fox Creek "Reserve" Shiraz, Jeb Dunnuck writes: "The 1998 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve is one of my benchmark Aussies and continues to age beautifully. Cassis, blackberry and earthy underbrush aromas are balanced out by pine resin and subtle balsamic aromas and this is as smooth and pure as can be. The palate is full bodied, perfectly balanced, structured, precise and amazingly long. I could drink this every night." (09/2008)