Released in small quantities and only in exceptional years, St. Peters is Seppelt’s flagship Shiraz, testimony to the distinctive style and pedigree of Grampians Shiraz. The lineage of this iconic wine dates back to 1964, when ‘Great Western Hermitage’, as it was then known, was first made. Since 1998 this wine has been called St. Peters in honour of the first vineyard planted in the region.

At the risk of repeating myself, this is one of my very favourite Australian Shiraz. I love it. Always have. Love the perfumed aromatics that get things started. Vibrant ripe cherry and blackberry notes, with a liberal coating of dark chocolate. Traces of cracked black pepper and graphite emerge with breathing. Managing the oak is fundamental to St Peters and winemaker Clare Dry uses an old French vat, older barriques and just 24% new oak. Interestingly, Dry also uses a small amount of whole bunch ferment which appears as the slightly flinty palate characters. Another cracking good wine. Drink to: 2024-2049; Price: $80.00; Rating: 98 Points; Ray Jordan

There's the good news, and there's the great news. The first good news is that this release is outstanding. This is an outstanding St Peters Shiraz. It's open for business, for sure, but it has the structure and length to carry it for many years. It tastes of black pepper, bacon, sweet plums, redcurrant, bay laves and smoked cherries, with sweet spice, hazelnut and cedarwood notes also contributing. It's plush, generous and eager to please, within a spicy-peppery context, but the tannin is finely etched and the length of the palate is excellent. Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $80; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2020-2028; Rated: 96 Points; Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front