Eddie's Pick:
Yalumba The Cigar Cabernet 2008

The Cigar is a name used by Coonawarra residents to describe the cigar-shaped strip of rich red terra rossa soil which has made the region famous.
It is home to some of Australia’s finest vineyards and the fruit from The Menzies property is an integral part of this iconic region. The Menzies cabernet was not produced in 2008 mainly because of the intensely hot season, but the fruit was used to make this outstanding example of the variety. It displays dense dark fruit, classic cabernet texture alongside great balance and length. It is probably richer than the average Coonawarra cabernet, but is still a wine of unforgettable  taste and balance.
In his third edition of ‘The Big Red Wine Book’, Campbell Mattinson rates this as his Wine of the Year! Great praise indeed and exceptional value too.

Phil's Pick:
Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas 2007

Gigondas is a favourite appellation of mine because the best wines have all the charm and depth of Chateauneuf du Pape but at a fraction of the price. 2007 was a fantastic year in the Southern Rhone and this wine exemplifies what was so great about it.
Raspail-Ay was founded in 1854 with 18 hectares under vine planted to Grenache (80%) Syrah (15%) and Mourvedre (5%) proprietor Dominique-Ay keeps things pretty simple at Gigondas’ finest address – one red and one rosé. The Gigondas reflects the appellation’s characteristics faithfully in an elegantly robust style which needs four or so years for the tannins to meld with the wine.
Dominique leaves as much as possible to nature in the vineyard and applies a minimalist approach in the winery. All grapes are de-stemmed prior to the spontaneous ferment which last for 15 days; the maturation for the Grenache takes place en foudrés, the Syrah and Mourvèdre in second and third use barriques with two rackings prior to bottling after eighteen months without fining or filtration.
Dense and concentrated with dark fruits, pepper and spices with a gamey note, there is also a stony mineral edge to this wine. The palate is full but silky, with lovely fine grained tannins that sit under the fruit. The wine is drinking well now, but will reward another 5-10 years easily.
Come in store or ask us for a list of our current 2007 Southern Rhone's

Dave's Pick:
Peter Lehmann 'The Wigan' Riesling 2004

Peter Lehmann Wines is an iconic Barossa winery best known for producing fantastic value wines.  That doesnt mean they dont produce wines at the top end of the spectrum, which they have been doing for many years with the well known Stonewell Shiraz.  Not as well known, but equally as impressive is the Reserve Riesling.  The latest release has been named in chief winemaker Andrew Wigan's honour, and he is without doubt one of Australia's finest(and most decorated) winemakers.
The Eden Valley grapes for this wine are taken from the finest parcels of Peter Lehmanns growers, and then left to mature for five years before release.  The palate has a lovely firm lime backbone with a hint of minerality, great acidity, and finishes crisp and focused.  It has terrific balance and great length.
I’ve always felt that Riesling offers fantastic value compared to other varietals, and while this wine is not cheap, I think you would be needing to spend twice the amount for a similar quality Chardonnay or Shiraz.
This wine is lovely drinking now, but can be cellared with confidence for the next 10 years.  That’s if you have the patience!!

James' Pick:
Syrahmi Maelstrom Syrah 2008

This is simply a terrific wine. Winemaker Adam Foster has managed to produce yet another vintage of this Heathcote shiraz, which could well be used as a benchmark for the region.
Elegance, balance, weight and texture is all there, in a wine that is restrained in its varietal expression (this is no ripe, plummy style). Yet Syrahmi clearly delivers Shiraz at its best.
Measured depth of fruit, a lithe, textured palate and effortlessly controlled use of new & old oak. Foster is an assured hand with a clear vision for regional influence and structural elegance.
Exceptional value.
The Syrahmi wines bear a name for each individual vintage.  Petit Prier ’06,  Don ’07,  Maelstrom ’08,  Climat ’09 (not yet released).

Gina's Pick:
Salomon Shiraz Viognier 2007

If you know the name Salomon, you would most likely think of Austrian Riesling & Gruner Veltliner.  In this case, you’ve got the right bloke, but the wrong varieties and country.  Bert Salomon planted his Australian vineyard 15 years ago (just 203 years after his forebears established the Austrian ones) on the Fleurieu Peninsula, just past McLaren Vale – it’s other best known inhabitant is Brian Croser & his Foggy Hill vineyard.  If you don’t know the area, you soon will.

Labelled ‘Syrah,’ it’s quite Euro in style – a Cote Rotie influenced blend of 95% Shiraz & 5% Viognier. It opens a little restrained but breathes very well in a decanter.  The classic berries & leather of both South Australian & Rhone shiraz shows through, but the viognier gives a perfumed & aromatic lift – decanting brings out violets & purple fruits, and a palate of fine tannins with lingering fruit & a savoury finish.  Drinking superbly now, but will grow in complexity with only a few years in the cellar, if you’ve got the patience.  Personally, I don’t think I do. 

Also worth noting is the glass stopper, which has also been adopted by Henschke (amongst others) as an alternative to both cork and screw cap.

Buy the Staff Favourites Pack

Click here to order a Staff Favourites Pack for $195 (best possible price), which includes 1 bottle of each of the above wines (ie 6 bottles in total).