Schild Estate Barossa GMS 2004 $19
Ed Schild and family own vineyards sprinkled between the banks of Jacob’s Creek and the village of Lyndoch in the southern Barossa Valley. A significant proportion of the vines are mature (up to 150 years old) and produces wines of stunning quality – like this gift made from vines averaging 70 years’ age. This is serious booze for $19 ($17.50 by the dozen at cellar door) and is classic southern Barossa. Old bush vine grenache – 50 per cent of the blend – provides perfume, cherry-like fruitiness and silky texture, while mourvedre (aka mataro) and shiraz add plummy and peppery notes plus backbone. It’s a delicious and distinctive regional specialty. See www.schildestate.com.au

Oxford Landing South Australia Sauvignon Blanc 2005 $6 to $9
Yalumba’s Oxford Landing vineyard, on a pretty warm stretch of the Murray River, turns out surprisingly good sauvignon blanc – a variety that normally performs best in cooler regions like Marlborough, New Zealand, or the Adelaide Hills. The mild summer of 2005 seems to have produced one of the best Oxford Landing’s yet – a refreshing and zesty drop displaying attractive ‘tropical fruit’ varietal character on the nose and palate. It offers tonnes of flavour and refreshment at the price and will be at its best served well chilled this spring and summer.

Penfolds Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz 2002 $16.90 to $26
There can be no better litmus of the quiet desperation in the market than to see a wine of this calibre slashed to $16.90 at Dan Murphy’s this week. It’s a great wine with an impeccable pedigree. In 2002 the fruit came from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Upper Adelaide and Padthaway. Its striking feature is an intense, varietal fragrance that precedes a buoyant and densely fruity palate. Despite the power and intensity, this is a Bin 28 destined to become elegant and graceful with age – something it needs. Throw a case under the house and begin drinking it in 2012. An outstanding Bin 28.

Copyright © Chris Shanahan 2005 & 2007