(51% shiraz, 30% grenache and 19% mourvedre): Deep ruby. Complex aromas of red and dark berries, pipe tobacco, peppery spices and fresh flowers. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sweet black raspberry and cherry compote flavors that flesh out and become spicier with air. Tightens back up on the long, incisive finish, which is firmed by dusty, fine-grained tannins. This wine saw only 10% new French oak.

A Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre blend, the 2012 Plexus has a medium-dense garnet color and offers kirsch, preserved plums, blueberry pie and dried mulberry notes with a Christmas fruit cake undercurrent. Full-bodied and packed with spicy, blackberry preserves flavors, it has velvety tannins and a refreshing lift in the long finish.

51% Shiraz, 30% Grenache, 19% Mourvedre. Mid ruby. Fresh and sweet on the nose in an appetising combination. Not quite the depth on the palate of the finest Langton's wines but a good effort. Acidity is pretty noticeable. (JR)