Tim Adams Aberfeldy (Clare Valley, South Australia) 1995: Incredible, opaque purple colour. Initially, like many of the wines, the nose is all sweet blackcurrant and blackberry pastilles, with other complexities developing as the wine aerates in the glass. The nose evolves into a minty, menthol-laden affair, with a rich seam of chocolate. A really smooth palate, rich with more chocolate and mint. Notable acids with a green fruit characteristic, later on a touch sherbetty. The tannins and acid are more prominent on the big, chewy finish. Good length. 17/20

Leasingham Classic Clare (Clare Valley, South Australia) 1995: A rich, opaque, inky red wine. Seems a little sweaty and leathery at first, but this fades, leaving rich fruit and toasty oak. Another rich, glycerol-laden palate. Quite tannic, packed with fruit, and notable acidification on the forepalate. Interesting coffee and dark chocolate complexity. Spicy finish leading into a good length. 17/20

Peter Lehmann Stonewell (Barossa Valley, South Australia) 1992: This wine, although similarly opaque, is a dark red hue. A rich nose, initially black berry fruits, but then more chocolate and mint, although less obvious than the previous wine. Develops coconutty American oak aromas. Ripe fruit on the palate, tannic but elegant and finely structured, with good acidity. Clean finish. This wine seems less oaky than more recent vintages of the Stonewell - perhaps it has just had more time to integrate. 17/20

Yalumba Octavius (Barossa Valley, South Australia) 1993: Like all the remaining wines in this flight, this is a dense, dark, opaque wine. Gorgeous nose here - raspberries and cream, black Shiraz fruit and black pepper. On the palate a combination of very typical ripe black fruits, good oak, and a creamy, luscious texture. Tannins and acidity prominent and provide structure. 17/20

Tyrell's Vat 9 (Hunter Valley, New South Wales) 1993: Less opaque than the other wines, a red purple hue. Smoky, rich fruit on the nose, lots of toffee oak and some reported cloves. With time develops an earthy aroma which sets it apart from the other wines in this flight. On the palate it has big, green tingling acidity. Has less body than the other wines (which is no bad thing) and earthy fruit. More obvious green acidity on the finish. To me it seems a bit disjointed and/or over-acidified, but others praise it. 14/20

Tatachilla Foundation (McLaren Vale, South Australia) 1995: Almost opaque red-black wine. The nose is laden with toffee oak and rich, ripe fruit. The palate is hugely oak-dominated, packed to the brim with ripe fruit, prominent acidity and big tannins. It has a sweet, full, glycerol-laden texture. Some black pepper. Tremendous length. The typical award-winning over-the-top structure should have suggested to me it was the Tatachilla - winner of the Jimmy Watson Trophy when released. 17.5/20

Rosemount Balmoral Syrah (McLaren Vale, South Australia) 1994: Another dense wine. A big nose of chocolate and fruit, with a stylish, elegant, perfumed edge. An impressive mixture of fruit and acidity, with less prominent tannins. 17/20

Jim Barry Armagh (McLaren Vale, South Australia) 1994: Another opaque wine. Rich, also vegetal and stinky nose. Loaded with red and black fruits on the palate. Softer than the previous wine, with a more advanced integration of the tannins. Lovely structure, a massive wine. 18/20

Penfolds Grange (South Australia) 1993: Very dense and opaque. A stinky, complex, vegetal and undergrowth nose. Aromas of beetroot and spices, with a layer of rich, sweet blackcurrant fruit. This is a huge, multifaceted wine. The palate has big tannins, firm acidity, and is very rich, with layers of fruit. Undoubtedly this is Grange. 18.5/20

Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock (Heathcote, Victoria) 1994: Quite opaque. Restrained on the nose. Opens out a little, giving some red and black fruit gum sweetness. Raspberry and coffee flavours on the palate, with some toffee oak. Rich, balanced, quite elegant. A delicious wine, but somewhat overshadowed in this company. 16/20