Jim Barry. 2006 Clare Red

General: I'm a big fan of this House's rieslings.

Varieties: Shiraz (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%)

Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

Alcohol: 14.5%

Bouquet: Round plum and blackcurrants

Flavour: Excellent. I didn't know the split when I tasted this and would have guessed it was a Cab given the dry finish and mild tannins. Some juicy plum fruit to start, supported by cedary flavours, dry spices like Rosemary and a hint of pepper as well. All very well balanced.

Points: 86

Plunkett Fowles. 2008 Alexander Park Shiraz

General: This week's Friday night celebration for the end of the week

Variety: Shiraz

Region/G.I.: Central Victoria

Alcohol: 15% (really!)

Bouquet: No burnt nose hair from the alcohol. In fact, the nose is a good one - a bit earthy, a bit plummy and some wood as well

Flavour: Medium length and full flavoured. It checks all the boxed for Shiraz. Fruit. Check. Pepper in the aftertaste. Check. Some wood. Check. True - it is a little hot but I am not sure whether I am particularly aware of this because I checked the alcohol before starting.

Points: 82

Notes: A good one.

Katnook 2008 Founder's Block Merlot

General: One from my latest case from Wine People

Variety: Merlot

Region/G.I.: Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

Alcohol: 13.5%

Bouquet: Round-red plum juice, other red fruits and a little (earthy/rotting) soaked oak

Flavour: Medium body, smooth and gentle. The fruit is true to nose and not overbearing. A hint of oak and the mildest touch of tannin. Pleasurable.

Points: 84

Notes: In the mixed case buy, they come in at about $12/bottle (216 Kc) which is great for this quality. As I've recently been tasting from cases bought from Wine People and Wine Selectors, there hasn't been a bad drop yet. A bit of a change from the other wine club...

Gramps. 2009 Shiraz

General: I tasted 2006 at a recent Institute lunch and bought a couple of the current release to lay down. I thought I better check how they are so I can compare later...

Variety: Shiraz

Region/G.I.: Barossa

Alcohol: 14.5%

Bouquet: Predominately liquorice, then some plum and a hint of vanilla

Flavour: Medium to full body with a long finish. In the chewy category. The fruit flavours match that of the nose and are dense. Nice black pepper on the tongue and gentle finish. Very nice.

Points: 84

Notes: At $13.60 (c244 Kc) this is impressive. Will have to get more.

Allandale. 2009 Matthew Shiraz

General: I'm about to get my next case from the wine club so thought I best try this now

Variety: Shiraz

Region/G.I.: Hunter Valley, Hunter

Alcohol: 13.5%

Bouquet: Plum and liquorice in equal measure. Some nice vanilla there as well.

Flavour: Very ligh bodied (like a Pinot) - the flavour profile is gentle and complex. This is very savoury - dry herbs, think oregano, thyme with some white pepper. Medium length and no tannin. Interesting

Points: 84

Notes: Not necessarily my preferred style of Shiraz but it is enjoyable

Plantagenet 2008 Hazard Hill Shiraz

General: From a producer I first tried at Cellarius...

Variety: Shiraz

Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Great Southern

Alcohol: 14.5%

Bouquet: Lovely. Plum conserve and some vanilla. Dense.

Flavour: Medium to full bodied with long finish. A lot of fruit at the start but it's kept in check by the tannic finish. Straightforward and good.

Points: 83

Margan Family Winegrowers. 2009 House of Certain Views Merlot

Variety: Merlot
Region/G.I.: Hunter, Broke Fordwich
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: A little earthy and a little woody as well. The fruit is plummy - the round, red/purple types
Flavour: Medium body with good length. Some nice tannin as well. The flavour of just-ripe (almost tart) plums is even throughout. A good drop.
Points: 84