Words fail to describe this unusual wine. Made from vines that are over 105 years old, these are bottles of 'history'. These gnarled, ancient vines yield their grapes very reluctantly. Each drop reflects a century of the struggle to survive in the Barossa Valleys clay soil. Intense, rich, a texture of velvet, aromas of dark berries mingled with eucalyptus and oak. Truly memorable.

John and Eva Cassegrain established their winery in 1980 after working several years in Burgundy as well as at other Austalian wineries. The Hastings River region provides ideal micro-climate for both red and white varietals. This luscious wine combines the Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet and Merlot with the spicy fruit of the Shiraz. Loads of rich fruit wrapped up nicely in warm flavors of new oak barrels.

At 27 years old, Sam Plunkett has achieved world class marks for his Shiraz. The cool climate in Victoria produces a Shiraz quite different from the Barossa Valley or Mclaren Vale. This wine reminds me of the great Syrahs of the Rhone Valleys Hermitage or Cote-Rotie vineyards: dense blackberry fruit with spicy black pepper tones.