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Three bottles of great value South Australian shiraz

Huon Hooke
Huon Hooke

A good-value wine in my world is one that gets a high score relative to its price.
A good-value wine in my world is one that gets a high score relative to its price.iStock

We might think of "good value" as a pejorative term that only relates to "cheap and cheerful" bottles, but in truth, good value for money can be found at $15 just as it can at $50. In wine-trade terminology, these wines over-deliver. There are plenty of them about, especially in the shiraz category. Simply put, a good-value wine in my world is one that gets a high score relative to its price. In reality, there are other more nebulous considerations that contribute to value, such as desirability. But what is of value to one person may not be to another. Scarcity, reputation, age-worthiness and, most of all, fashion enter into the equation. These shirazes over-deliver and will cellar well.

Tim Adams Shiraz 2017, Clare Valley, $26

Score 93

Deep, youthful red-purple colour; spicy aromas with a twist of pepper; full-bodied, dense and concentrated to taste. A big, solid, brawny shiraz with plenty of grip and drive. This is extreme value: other wineries might charge double the price. You get a lot of wine for your money! Screw-cap; 14.8 per cent alcohol.

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Ageing? Drink for 15+ years.

Stockists include Ritchie's, Mount Martha (Vic); Surry Hills Fine Wine (NSW).

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Old Vines Shiraz 2018, Coonawarra, $45

Score 95

With a matching black label, this is the partner of the famous Wynns black label cabernet. It's a superb shiraz, elegant and refreshing, loaded with vibrant red fruit and spice aromas which translate perfectly onto the palate, where it's bright and intense. A classic Coonawarra shiraz. Screw-cap; 13.8 per cent alcohol.

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Ageing? Drink now to 18+ years.

Stockists include Dan Murphy's Australia-wide.

Mr Riggs J.F.R. Shiraz 2018, McLaren Vale, $50

Score 96

A very deep, dark purple-red colour introduces a bouquet of char-oak, rich, ripe blackberry fruit dusted with graphite/earthy mineral notes. It's very full-bodied and powerful, high-impact and lingering. The concentration is excellent and the tannins are superbly harmonised with the other components. An impressive wine. Diam cork; 14.5 per cent alcohol.

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Ageing? Drink now to 16+ years.

Stockists include Shorty's Liquor (NSW); Nick's Wine Merchants (Vic).

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Huon HookeHuon Hooke is a wine writer.

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