Ultimate Bold Shiraz Showcase Under $40

Ultimate Bold Shiraz Showcase Under $40 - Discover the richness and intensity of premium Shiraz with this expertly curated collection. Featuring bold flavors, luscious textures, and exceptional value, this 6-pack is a celebration of Shiraz crafted under $40. From juicy dark fruits and peppery spice to silky tannins and a long, satisfying finish, these wines deliver quality without compromise. Perfect for Shiraz lovers seeking variety and excellence in every bottle.

1 x Ate Shiraz 2022 - South East Australia, Australia

Winemaker "Deep ruby in colour with a purple hue. Delicious aromas and flavours of red and dark plum, boysenberry, layers of smoky oak spices and hints of black pepper. Medium bodied with fine tannins and a long finish."

Até Winery produces meticulously crafted wines from some of the premium wine growing areas of Victoria and South Australia. These wines embody the mischievous and playful nature of the Greek goddess Até. With a focus on fruit-forward profiles and generous flavours, each wine displays the hallmarks of its region and is a testament to the artistry and passion of the winemaker.

Their range includes the Até Sparkling, Até Pinot Grigio, Até Chardonnay, and Até Shiraz, each offering unique and delightful flavours that fully express the region from which they are from. There are the bright lemony notes of the Sparkling, a shining example of the winery's dedication to quality and flavour, the zesty freshness of the Pinot Grigio, and the expressive character of the Chardonnay made from South Eastern Australian grapes. The Shiraz is a deep ruby color and purple hue, with aromas and flavors of red and dark plum, boysenberry, smoky oak spices, and hints of black pepper.

All these wines exemplify the winery's commitment to quality and flavour.

1 x Cloud Street Shiraz 2021 - Victoria, Australia

Winemaker "...a wine crafted with passion and expertise. This Shiraz showcases the rich and robust flavors that Shiraz enthusiasts adore, offering a bold and memorable experience."

Cloud Street are producers of outstanding value, sourcing quality fruit from well-regarded wine growing regions within the state of Victoria and fashioning it into fresh, lively and deliciously uncomplicated wine with a single varietal focus. The perfect accompaniment to sophisticated day to day living, for those who wish to drink well on a budget. Cloud Street evokes the feeling and experiences of an Australian way of life. Grab a glass and stay a while.

1 x Plantagenet Lions Circle Shiraz 2020 - Mt. Barker, Western Australia

Bronze - Natalie MacLean (2018 vintage)
92/100 - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit (2017 vintage)
Bronze - Natalie MacLean (2017 vintage)

Natalie MacLean "... is an excellent value Shiraz, supple, full-bodied with layers of dark cherry, plum, dried herbs, pepper and well-integrated toasty oak spice flavours with a silky, long and vibrant finish." (2018 vintage)

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "Solid core of dark fruits, plums and white pepper follow through from the nose. Great acidity balances the dense fruit core with soft tannin and an elegant mouthfeel. Savoury herbal notes at complexity with a slightly old world feel to the wine. Classical cool climate shiraz from a cool vintage." (2017 vintage)

Natalie MacLean "A generous, full-bodied, supple Australia Shiraz with aromas of fleshy ripe black plums and spice. Perfect for grilled meats." (2017 vintage)

Western Australian winery, Plantagenet is acclaimed internationally for its consistently highly-awarded, quality wines produced from its five vineyards located in the cool climate region of the Great Southern. It is known for its highly aromatic riesling, tangy citrus-tinged chardonnay, exceptional Rhône-style shiraz and superb cabernet sauvignon. The five estate vineyards are overseen by Chief Viticulturist Jordan Ellis whose philosophy is sustainability and remaining true to the terroir of the region.

The Real Review "Plantagenet is a pioneer of the Great Southern region of Western Australia with vineyards first planted in 1986 and the first commercial winery established in the region. Celebrated for its rich heritage, the winery was until recently owned the Lionel Samson family, the oldest family owned business in Western Australia established in Fremantle in 1829. Plantagenet has five vineyards in the Mount Barker sub region each with the unique characteristics, ancient soils and a cool maritime climate creating expressive wines of provenance, quality & prestige. "

James Halliday, Halliday Australian Wine Companion "Plantagenet has honed its flagship varieties into a distinct Great Southern wine style; a depth of lively flavour, seamless elegance and natural purity"

The Great Southern is emerging as a wine region of international significance and reputation. It is the largest wine growing region in Australia and is the second largest producer of grapes in Western Australia. It is a landscape of forested cliffs and resplendent mountain ranges, grazing pastures and towns steeped in history. The regional climate ranges from the coastal, maritime subregions of Albany and Denmark to the inland, continental subregions of Mount Barker, Porongurup and Frankland River. The predominant soils are similar to those of the Margaret River region - either lateritic gravelly sandy loams (marri country) or sandy loams deriving directly from granite and gneissic bedrocks. Near perfect conditions for grape growing has lured some of the most creative and talented winemakers to call this land their home and become part of its ancient story.

The region is known for commitment to be sustainable, and organic, and is attracting some of Australia’s best winemakers. In 2023 the region dominated the Halliday Wine Companion Awards with its Top Rated 2023 Rieslings winning 10 of the top 40 awards. Other varietals from the region also received exceptional ratings of 97, 96 & 95 points.

Winemakers who work in cooler-climate growing regions, both in the Old World and New World, tend to call their wines Syrah. The most famous examples come from the northern Rhône Valley of France, notably Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. In the New World, in regions like Sonoma Coast, California; Yarra Valley, Australia; and parts of Chile, the wines are called Syrah because they emulate the leaner, acid-driven, savory styles of the Old World French classics.

1 x Pikes Los Compañeros Shiraz Tempranillo 2021 - Clare Valley, Australia

92/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
Bronze - Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion

5 Stars - Halliday Wine Companion
People Choice Award 2023

Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Lifted aromas of smoked meat, dried herbs, mulberry, dark cherry and spice. Youthful, full flavoured and inky on the palate. Plum, raspberry, sweet oak and spice are all at play. There's lovely brightness from the acidity and the tannins deliver texture and mouth-feel."

Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion "A fleshy, swarthy red. Opens with blueberry fruitiness, some cola and sarsaparilla notes, red cherry, rosehip tea and faint sage herbal lift. The palate has a nice slosh to it, a generosity though it retains a sense of freshness and gluggability. Not so complex, but kind of compelling as it shows off a distinct array of flavour and scents, all of great appeal. Charming stuff, is the sense."

Pikes is a prestigious winery in South Australia's Clare Valley, established in 1984 by Neil and Andrew Pike, whose viticultural roots go back to the late 1800s. Situated in the picturesque Clare Valley, the Estate is comprised of approximately 100 hectares of rolling slopes in Polish Hill River, an eastern sub-region of the Clare Valley.
Known for its cool climate and diverse grape varieties, Pikes showcases premium wines with distinct characters and flavors due to the unique terroir and altitude.

After an almost 20-year career with Penfolds Wines and Southcorp Wine Group, Andrew joined Pikes on a full-time basis in 1998 to oversee viticultural operations and manage the growing family business.

Pikes is particularly renowned for its high-quality Riesling and other cool-climate wines, praised for vibrant acidity, citrus flavors, and exceptional aging potential. Whilst they are best known for world-class Riesling, they have been growing Shiraz and Cabernet for 35 years and have 20 different grape varieties planted on their estate, producing a wide range of wine styles to suit all tastes.

Pikes pride themselves on producing quality handcrafted wines, that reflect vintage, variety, and region. The Pike family has been producing quality wine, beer, and aerated waters in South Australia since 1886 it is a family tradition of which they should be very proud.

Their vineyards in Clare Valley grow various grape varieties, with a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture and environmental responsibility.

Their portfolio includes Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and unique blends, all crafted with a dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Over the years, Pikes has garnered numerous awards, establishing itself as a top producer in the Clare Valley, and gaining recognition both nationally and internationally for their excellent and consistent wines.

1 x Willow Bridge Dragon Fly Shiraz 2022 - Geographe, Western Australia

90/100 James Suckling

Bronze - Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
Bronze - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
Bronze - Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review

James Suckling "This ripe and fruity red has notes of blueberries, plums, honey and violets on the nose. It’s medium- to full-bodied, soft and tasty. Drink now. Screw cap."

Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion "It does the trick without being very fancy, a nice place to be. Redcurrants, raspberry, a good dash of smoky spice, some graphite and pencil-shaving characters, a touch of pepper and eucalyptus going on here – flavours and scents in tune with this. A touch of raspiness to texture, a tart, bitter finish and, between that, some nice plushness that takes away from those distractions. It's OK; it drinks pretty easy."

Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate "The 2022 Dragonfly Shiraz leads with dark berries and exotic spices, milk chocolate-coated licorice and blueberries. The wine is simple on the palate, but it hits every high point of juicy fruit and the absence of impactful oak, with gentle, supple tannins. The acidity is pronounced, which may sit adjunct to the plush fruit, yet it feels as if it would lend itself well to a slight chill. Shiraz for summer ... if that's a thing."

Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review "Mocha and spiced black plums lead to a juicy palate. Vanillan notes mix with black and red berries, contained by a rail of tannins. It's an approachable and pleasing style"

The Australian Wine "(Australai's No. 1 Wine Critic James) Halliday listed Willow Bridge among his ‘Dark Horse Wineries of 2013’ and then his ‘Best Wineries of 2014’. The estate has also won Most Successful Western Australian Exhibitor at the Perth Wine Show three times!"

Halliday Australian Wine Companion "Willow Bridge Estate is family owned and operated by principals Jeff and Vicki Dewar, who bought the picturesque 180-hectare hillside property in 1996 after an exhaustive search of the state for the ideal vineyard site from which to realize their shared vision of producing world class wines which are both opulent and accessible. The estate is located in a hidden jewel of an area known as the Ferguson Valley (in Geograph Bay in Western Australia) which, at that time, was home to only a few small vineyards. Immediately planting 60 hectares of vines and then building a state of the art winery (the first winery in the area) in time for their first vintage in 2000, established Willow Bridge as the pioneering estate of the area and demonstrated the family’s confidence in the property and resolve to see their vision become reality."

Willow Bridge Estate continues to attract acclaim for the relatively newly established wine growing region of Geographe which is located adjacent to its more famous neighbour, Margaret River, in Western Australia. Wine critcs have heralded the winery for producing quality, good value wines. Winemaking is by veteran Western Australian winemaker, Kim Horton.

The Geographe wine growing region is located near the southern end of the Western Australia's Indian Ocean coast, between the emerging Peel region and famous Margaret River – with which its terroir shares several similarities. The best wines grown in this region include fruity Cabernet Sauvignon (often blended with Merlot), gamey Shiraz, rich, citrusy Chardonnay, and grassy 'SSB' blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The region's profile is increasing with several Geographe wineries winning national and international awards annually. At the heart of Western Australia's wine industry, the region supplies more than 10% of Western Australia's wine.

1 x Brokenwood Cricket Pitch Red Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot 2021 ~ Hunter Valley, Australia

92/100 Nick Butler, The Real Review (2017 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2017 vintage)

5 Star Winery - James Halliday

Nick Butler, The Real Review "Black olives and blueberries affirm its lead variety is present. A measured dose of fruit sweetness makes this open and accessible. It does have a latent concentration of red-berry fruit and acidity that underwrites its freshness and capacity to age. A modern, detailed Cricket Pitch." (2017 vintage)

James Suckling "A juicy and fun red with light tannins and lots of juicy fruit and currant, chocolate and light orange character. Medium body." (2017 vintage)

The Winemaker "Aromas of red cherry, spice and sweet oak. Mid-weight palate with some Cabernet Sauvignon cedar up front that leads to soft Shiraz richness. The oak regime is mainly older American and French so limited impact although some vanillin on both nose and palate with a long sweet finish. Excellent fruit flavours and balance being the features that will be maintained under the screw cap packaging"

The Winemaker "Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot South Eastern Australia Berry/leafy aromas are to the fore, due to the wine being almost two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon. A beautiful deep colour with youthful tints. Ripe Cabernet fruit complimented by the spice and plushness of the Shiraz component. Fine long tannins and acid line will see this age well over the medium term. A lovely drinking wine as always."

Another perennial Best Buy from the iconic Brokenwood Winery established by Australia's leading wine critic, James Halliday. If you are looking for a red wine that is outside the typical "BIG" Australian style, this wine is for you, with its food friendly drinkability, lower alcohol at 13.5% and a middle weight structure, it pretty well works with any meal.

The wine continues to show why it's one of Australia's favourite value red wines and consistently is a top medal and point winner year in and out. Great value!

James Halliday ~ "At 40+ years young, Brokenwood Wines, in the heart of the Hunter Valley, can lay claim to not only an iconic vineyard with the Graveyard Vineyard but to the preservation of a wine fraternity that proudly has as its mission statement, ‘to make great wine and have fun’."

Established in 1970 Brokenwood Wines is one of Australia's most reputable premium wine labels and a must-visit in the Hunter Valley. It was established by Australia's leading wine critic, James Halliday. Consistently listed as a 5-star winery, Brokenwood is home to the famous Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, the highly acclaimed ILR Reserve Semillon, and the popular Cricket Pitch Range.

The Hunter Valley is the best-known and most highly prized wine region in New South Wales. It is known as the region where the Australian wine industry started. The valley's winemakers have pioneered two distinctive styles of wine (oaked Chardonnay and dry Semillon) and has retained a strong connection with both of them. The Hunter Valley's most famous wine style is its distinctive dry Semillon, made there since the 1870s. Hunter Valley Semillons are renowned for their ability to improve with age.