Langmeil 2010 The Freedom 1843 Shiraz

Langmeil in the Barossa valley is the proud owner of some of the oldest vines in the world, including some that date back 170 years. This is one of four reds that make up the Old Vine Garden range of limited-release wines and contains fruit from vines that average over 125 years of age. The Freedom vines were planted in 1843 by Christian Auricht, who has fled persecution in Prussia and there's no doubt he would be proud of this very fine wine from an excellent Barossa vintage. It's a big, intense wine, unfined and unfiltered, but it carries it 15% alcohol lightly and would be a worthy companion to a hearty winter roast or game casserole. Drink a piece of history. $100.  www.langmeilwinery.com.au.  

Picante 2010 Costa Atlantica Vino Blanco

There's a lot of value to be found in the Spanish wines being imported by Echelon and McWilliam's - and while the reds tend to grab all the attention a couple of the whites are absolute bargain buys. A blend of viura and verdejo grapes crafted by Javier Murua from vines off the Atlantic coast of western Spain, this is a drink-now proposition that probably won't improve but it has vibrant floral aromas and stone fruit and sea spray notes on the palate, along with some some interesting textural elements. Food-friendly, too, and terrific for $14.     

Penfolds 2010 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz

There is always much excitement within the wine trade - and among collectors - surrounding the release each year of the Penfolds Bin and Icon wines, and maybe more so this year with many of the reds coming from the highly-rated 2010 vintage. The new Grange is from 2008 and absolutely outstanding (many of my wine writing colleagues are falling all over themselves bidding to give it the highest possible rating). I'd be spending my money on a few bottles of this, however, a superlative blend of cabernet and shiraz fruit from no fewer than seven different regions throughout South Australia. Magnificently constructed and effortlessly elegant, this is a classic 389 from a vintage in which Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago says “absolutely nothing went wrong”. It is a spectacular, dark and inky red with great intensity, lift and balance. $75.