Line ’em up, these two full bodied reds pack in an awful lot of flavour for $30 or less. Strictly speaking these aren’t quite what I’d go for on a Friday night (probably a beer on a 31C day in Sydney), but well worth your dollars.

Pirathon Silver Shiraz 2017

Density is what Pirathon does best, with this Barossan winery delivering reds that are the epitome of luscious. Adam from Pirathon emailed me during the week to remind me to look at this Shiraz and glad it got pulled to the top of the (overly large) sample pile. An awful lot of dense, very ripe and chocolate raspberry mud cake flavour. Barossa flavour concentrated. Matured in 20% new oak, though you’d guess higher than that. It’s so chocolatey and dense, which is super appealing. Maybe too warm, but that flavour per glass ratio is very high. Well worth it. Best drinking: mid term drinking, now to eight years plus. 17.7/20, 92/100. 15%, $25. Would I buy it? I’d go a glass for a Barossan big red fix no probs.

Rockbare McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018

Rockbare is backed by the Joval group; one of the largest premium wine distributors in the country. I’ve been dismissive before about the brand, expecting soulless wines as is the mode for ‘own brand’ products. But after trying a few of the range recently, I can see that I’ve been mischaracterising the brand. This red shows the way – it’s modern McLaren Vale Shiraz in full splendour. Bold and black fruited, it sings with a licoricey, chunky, mid-palate driven style, the flavours chunky, the palate seductive. I almost picked this as having some Viognier in the mix, such is the silkiness and sly perfume (and there could well be a little v weed in the mix). The late warmth is unavoidable (if a distraction), but it doesn’t hurt the appeal. I gave half the bottle to my brother in law who doesn’t always drink Shiraz and he loved it too. I can see why. Best drinking: I like it now. Sure it will settle a bit but it’s ready now. 17.7/20, 92/100. 14.5%, $28. Would I buy it? A glass or two.