If you’re a long-standing customer who enjoys a drop of decent mature Bordeaux, chances are you’ve heard of Château Ramage La Batisse. If you haven’t, it’s a remarkable cru bourgeois from the Haut-Médoc that’s only a short stroll from First Growth Châteaux Lafite and Mouton Rothschild. Our Bordeaux Buyer Jean-Marc Sauboua has known the family for years and they always give him first refusal on their latest releases. Which is lucky for us – and you – because the family hoard their finest vintages for years, only parting with them when they’re ready to enjoy. This 2015 is supple and approachable now, but will develop over the next few years and maintain peak form for a few after that. Open an hour or two before serving with your Sunday roast.

Another step on the pioneering path for Margan, this is a field blend with the three varieties vinified together each year. The grapes are from Margan's Timbervines vineyard, planted to red volcanic soils and covers a tiny 2 hectares. There’s a lovely plushness to this red, with forest berries, violets and dark chocolate notes singing together. Soft tannins and that trademark refreshing acidity in place. A revelation.

There is a feeling across Victoria region that 2013 may go down as the vintage of the decade. Low rainfall and plenty of heat from December onwards meant winemakers could obtain beautifully ripe fruit, which can be a challenge in parts of this cool region.

The southern Rhône’s cru villages deliver remarkable richness as well as value – all nine of them well worth discovering. One of the best is Vacqueyras, the village watched over by the towering Dentelles de Montmirail (google and you'll find some impressive images of these iconic rugged landmarks) . Cuvée Préstigieux is from the Guillot family. In 1911, great grandfather of the current owner forsook his birthplace of Burgundy and headed south to the Rhône valley. There he bought his first vineyard. Today, Laurent Guillot is in charge, working the family plots both in Burgundy and the southern Rhône. This Cuvée Préstigieux is a full-bodied style with ripe raspberry fruit from the Grenache, while the Syrah brings herbal aromas and blackberry and a touch of Mourvèdre adds spice. Ace with roast lamb or a rich casserole.

St Hugo Cabernet Shiraz displays a dark ruby red with purple hues. The bouquet of dark forest fruits such as plum, blueberry and cassis lead into a beautifully complex palate of blackcurrent, sweet plum and chalky tannins. There is a underlying savoury oak hint and a finish of lingering dark chocolate.

The Craiglee vineyard was established in the 1860's, and replanted in 1976 by the current winemaker, Patrick Carmody. All wines are made from estate grown fruit using natural processes that reflect the flavours specific to the site. This is an iconic Victorian wine that features a trademark of pronounced cracked black pepper.