I recently bought a brand new, basic model, ute. One of the more reliable Models on the market (in my opinion) and a favourite of mine. It replaced one that was 28 years older than it, which served me very well. When you get the no-frills package, that’s exactly what you expect, right? Well, don’t be so sure. My new one has electric windows, air conditioning, electric mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, heated rear window and a dash panel that is the size of my iPad! It was much more than I expected I was getting for a basic model, for the money I forked out to buy it.

When it comes to wine the terms ‘basic’ and ‘no-frills’ are not used and rightly so. Generally speaking, the first and lowest price bottle in a particular varietal range are referred to as ‘entry level’. However, as with utes like my new one, there are many entry level wines which are a veritable surprise package when it comes to getting more than you expect for the little money you part with. This particular Shiraz is the perfect case in point. It is Huntington Estates least expensive Shiraz yet, after each taste, you discover another little ‘extra’ about the wine that is included in the cost.

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $34     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Huntington Estate

Richness and generosity are the two words that spring to mind for describing both the aromas and flavours of this ripper Shiraz. Dark berries and cherries are the main fruits I discovered as it unfolded across the palate. A dab of dark chocolate and a little bit of spice contribute to the smooth, medium bodied-ness of the wine, and while the expected tannins have their say too, they are no match for the beautiful fruit this wine has. Such a great value wine!