The Pike brothers established Pikes winery in the Polish Hill sub-region of the Clare Valley in 1984, renovating an old stone shearing shed to house their winery and cellar door. Neil is the veteran winemaker (he’s done 38 vintages in Clare); Andrew the seasoned viticulturist (he spent 22 years working for big names like Wynn’s Coonawarra and Southcorp before establishing Pikes). Together they turn out formidable wines that earn plenty of show medals and critical acclaim. Their richly textured 2017 'Wilfred's Block' really is magnificent. A definitive Australian blend of inky, slatey Cabernet and sumptuous, spicy Shiraz, it’s a contemplative wine – the layers of flavour will reveal themselves slowly – and perfect for winter sipping. It will cellar well until 2032, but is still drinking beautifully now. Decant, pour into big glasses, and savour with good food and good friends.

Visit the quality obsessed winery of Deep Woods and you'll find winemaker Julian Langworthy working his magic. He's behind their recent 97 point 'Best Cabernet in Show' - which also won the 2016 Jimmy Watson Trophy! The Redlands is the sister wine to the triumphant Reserve – a deliciously deep, intense Cabernet with a dash of rich Shiraz for extra sumptuous drinkability. A Margaret River marvel to savour with rack of lamb, roasted vegetable lasagne or a juicy rib-eye steak.

Tucked away in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, next to Saint Emilion, is award winning Château de Colombe, a tiny estate much neglected until we took ownership in 2012. Now it’s being lavished with utmost care in the vineyard and the cellar. Our Head Winemaker, Haut-Brion-trained Jean-Marc Sauboua, quickly spotted the potential of its steep, south-facing slopes and limestone soils. Judging by the 11 Golds won over the last five vintages (two for 2020), he was spot on. 2020 has been unanimously declared as 'exceptional', its fruit deliciously ripe, which has made for a very much ‘drink me now’ style. Merlot with a little of both Cabernets and Malbec, aged a few months in barrel, this red is fruit-rich and supple. For now open early and decant.

Deep, dark and dangerously easily to drink, Rex Mundi Special Edition is a beguiling black beauty. It was created by Parker rated winemaker Hervé Sabardeil, whose lavish elixirs have been enchanting us for over a decade. It is a Carignan-Grenache blend made from grapes taken from the very oldest vines – some over 100 years in age – grown on the finest slate soils of Maury in the Roussillon. As you might imagine yields are minute, which accounts for the depth of colour and intensity of flavour. Hervé aged half the wine in oak cask for six months to lend a luxurious layer of complexity. This is a powerful red, beautifully balanced and terrifically long with herbal spice nuances. Slips down nicely on its own, or with rich game pie.

Cru Bourgeois is a prestigious term used for Bordeaux reds from estates outside the 1855 classification that consistently deliver wines of outstanding quality and value. Estates are reviewed every five years to retain the standing. This classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a dash of Petit Verdot, is one of the top Cru Bourgeois buys. It’s from an estate family owned since 1870, located in Cussac-Fort-Médoc, close to the iconic Bordeaux appellations of Margaux and St-Julien. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (30% new), and delivers with blackcurrant, plum and cedar spice, supple tannins, freshness and a long, elegant finish. It’s finely structured, and offers sheer Bordeaux charm. Certainly approachable now, but with the potential to age gracefully for a decade or more.

Delicious! Winemakers Eric and David Martin create a range of largely reds from their fourth generation family domaine, established back in 1905. They continue combining traditional vinification practises and respect for the environment. This is a delicious, full-bodied and peppery Grenache-rich blend from Cairanne, a commune in the Vaucluse department in the south of the Côtes-du-Rhône region.

St Hugo has been a long established name in Australian wine, namely due to the iconic Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra. Made from premium Barossa Valley fruit that provides dark berry fruits with opulent herb and spice characters. With a cellaring potential of over 10 years, this Shiraz can proudly wear the St Hugo name.

Life is about connections, and Daniel is nothing if not a “people person”, we wanted this wine to reflect the everyday quality occasions where fun is had, friends are made and life happens. Peter Munro, St Hugo Chief Winemaker Plush, opulent and generous, a modern masterpiece of open and inviting fruit with a little hint of something more. Various parcels were created individually with the objective of blending these to form a synergistic whole. For this reason, many winemaking techniques were employed, including, cold soaking to ensure vibrant floral were present. Generally, parcels spent between 10-15 days on skins in a mixture of open fermenters and closed statics fermenters, reaching temperatures of 26-28°C, to ensure optimum flavour and tannins were extracted. All the resulting parcels were matured in oak for a short period to maintain their fresh vibrant nature. Good Spring rainfall then set the vines up well for what was to become a very mild and dry ripening season. With no significant rain, temperatures below average and only 3 days above 35°C in February and March, ideal ripening conditions were observed resulting in an extended ripening window; a wonderful vintage. Colour: Bright vibrant red. Taste: Fun, generous lively fresh red fruits dance on the palate with softness and approachability. Fine tannins emerge slowly but are controlled by the plush vibrant cherry fruit that lingers. Aroma: Raspberry, strawberry and spiced plums, with lifted violets to entice and an ever so slight hint of char that adds to the intrigue.

Clos de los Siete is a vineyard oasis s set at the foot of the majestic Andes mountains where the high-altitude vineyards help to capture varietal purity and ensure optimal ripeness for the grapes under the guidance of world-renowned Michel Rolland. This blend of Malbec, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon captures the essence of this generous land and its noble varieties including the magnificent Malbec grape. It's a defining expression of high-altitude winemaking, with black and blue fruit, herbs, and violet floral tones. A charming, finessed, impressive addition to your special evening. Pair with hearty beef stews or barbecued meats. Awards: • Vintage 2018 - Accolade at the Tim Atkin . 93 Points • Vintage 2018 - Accolade at the Wine Enthusiast . 92 Points