Woodlands were one of the 'first wave' of wineries to set up in the Margaret River in the early 1970s and today that heritage is in the capable hands of Andrew and Stuart Watson, sons of the pioneering David. The Margaret Cabernet Merlot displays aromas of rosemary, leather and spice winding through blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. The palate is a reflection of the nose, and is bolstered by eucalypt, bay leaf and cranberry flavours.

This blend shows the elegance of the Clare Valley's Polish Hill River region. Aromas of berries and plums are enhanced by French oak and the palate is supple and well balanced the tannins fine and lingering.

Cullen, world famous for their Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot, have introduced another Cab Merlot, a distinguished offshoot of the Langton's classified Diana Madeline. Majority Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Merlot and touch of Petit Verdot gives the wine a luscious, bright cherry flavour with red berries playing their part. Aged in French oak, 40% of which was new, for one year. Delicious to serve with veal, lamb or beef today, but will also reward up to 10 years in the cellar.

LTCf stands for 'little touch of cabernet franc'. This classic Bordeaux blend has plenty of rich and concentrated flavours with fine tannins.

One of the Margaret River's more celebrated producers, Howard Park have forged a healthy cult following. The 2001 Cabernet Blend is a full bodied red that has developed liquorice and humidor characters beneath a layers of concentrated blackberry.

Voyager Estate has quickly earned itself a seat at the head of the table in Australia when it comes to elegant, and classic Cabernet. Appealing aromas of ripe blackcurrant chocolate and that distinctive Margaret River forest floor character. The palate is powerful yet balanced with concentrated red berry fruits. The Voyager Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is a magnificent wine to lay down for a decade or more and will repay the patient in spades.

Primo Estate's Joseph Moda is widely acclaimed as one of Australia's greatest Cabernets, and has been so since its inception in 1987. To create this exceptionally concentrated McLaren Vale red, Joe Grilli combines traditional Italian winemaking techniques with his 'Aussie know how' by air-drying the best fruit available to the winery on shaded outdoor racks for two weeks prior to crushing. The 'Moda', or method, is usually associated with Amarone style wines from Italy, but is put to superb use here by the team at Primo to create a brooding, opulent wine. After this intensive process, the wine is then aged in French and American oak for 20 months to further enhance the wine's complexity, flavour and effortless length.

From a unique vineyard site in Melbourne's eastern suburbs the Egan family have been producing this beautiful Bordeaux-styled red since 1997; cassis and cedar characters with admirable length. Adorned with artwork from Melbourne cartooning icon, Leunig, the Amelia is firmly established within the Langton's Classification of Australian Wine and is a must have for all serious wine collectors.

A nose of cassis and chocolate with a hint of tobacco. The palate is filled with irresistible mulberry fruit and the tannins are soft and velvety. An impressive effort from a Margaret River icon!

Woodlands Cabernet Merlot is one of the regions best examples. The Watson brothers are the custodians of a family heritage in Margaret River that continues to this day. The Cabernet Merlot has attractive and complex aromas of dark berry and plum supported by well integrated vanillin oak. The palate shows similar characters with outstanding length of flavour and perfect balance. Drink now or cellar short term.

From one of Margaret River's best and original producers, Vasse Felix comes this excellent Cabernet Merlot blend has great concentration of blackcurrant fruit with cedary oak and fine tannins - a style with elegance and finesse rather than power.