Château Léoville-Las-Cases is classified as a 2nd Growth, but can rightfully claim to produce wines equal and superior to some 1st growths. Léoville's label (Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases) doesn't mention the

Australia's premier cool climate Cabernet. It was John Middleton's dream to create such a wine and purchased the Mount Mary property in the Yarra Valley in 1971 to persue this dream. Quintet is his dream realised and is a blend of the classic Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

Cos d'Estournel remains today one of the true icons of Bordeaux, and the trademark of Saint Estèphe. With it's pagoda like house (as it's one of the rare Bordeaux's without a Château) it is a must visit for all travelling along the route des châteaux. Always of great reputation, the wines soared in esteem throughout the tenure of Bruno Prats through 1971 to 1998 and continue to this day with their Cabernet Sauvignon based wines of extreme purity and elegance. The 2009 vintage will be highly sought after with the conditions in the left bank region at their very best. Showing a more riper, plump fruit nature than the usual masculine, long-lived trademark, this years Cos will be quick out the door.

Gravel soils make up the primary soil type at Château l'Evangile which is consistent with most of Bordeaux's right bank region of Pomerol. Merlot is the variety of choice in the blend with Cabernet Sauvignon to create a wine full of plushness, vibrant aromatics and smooth, lingering finish. The 2009 vintage was wonderfully kind of all of Bordeaux and Pomerol was no exception with the l'Evangile producing a wine of plushness and warmth as well as one of concentration and power. A classic Pomerol.

The Chapoutier Estate has been present in the Rhone Valley since 1808, always on a quest to find different tastes and expressions of terroir, or sense of place. Hermitage is regarded by some as the greatest expression of Shiraz from anywhere in the world. If you're a Shiraz lover and haven't yet explored the wines of the Northern Rhone, you're simply missing out.

Standing out from the crowd with its distinctive yellow/brown label, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou was the first second growth producer to break away from the crowd and start to attract higher prices and create the

Château Palmer is considered one of the worlds first 'Super Seconds' (although actually classified as a third growth), a term relating to the top echelon of producers that fall outside of the ancient 1st Growth classification. Margaux's Château Palmer was named after a British general who fought under Wellington. It has been stated by quite a few wine critics that this could possibly be the finest Château Palmer ever produced. An amazing claim considering how phenomenal the 2005 was and is yet to be. Masses of concentrated aromas and flavours that will keep your senses entertained for hours on end. A truly remarkable achievement that will repay the patient cellarer over the next 30 years.

Château Trottevieille is a rare story in the appellation of St-Émilion where a Bordeaux négociant owns the premier grand cru. The property is set apart from most of the vineyards in St-Émilion, on the far eastern edge. The wines of Trottevieille are ones that require a bit of time in the bottle to show their true elegance and blackcurrant richness, but in early drinking years like the 2008, one doesn't have to wait as long.

A blend of 51% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot from 2010 - the Chateau Pape Clement is located in Pessac covering 32 hectares of vines, planted to red and white varieties. The estate is considered one of the most historical in all of Bordeaux, with history dating back to the 14th century, though its reputation wasn't fully forged until the mid-20th century. Detailed vineyard work is now a motif for the prestigious winery, and winemaking is set to modern with the use of stainless steel and higher ratio of new oak barrels. Though considered Cru Classe Graves, Chateau Pape Clement is considered one of the most collectable and highest quality estates in Pessac-Leognan.

Château Clinet is a rising star in the small Right Bank region of Pomerol. With its gravely soil mixed with sand, Château Clinet has gradually increased the Merlot component of the wine to produce a voluptuous, smooth and yet still complex red wine that is both pleasing upon release and turns into a read star with a few years in the cellar.

This chateau has undergone dramatic change since 1998 when Gerard Perse purchased the house and has transformed the wine into one loved and lauded by influential critic, Robert Parker. Remaining today as a very contreversial wine in the Bordeaux context with the larger than life style with more than ample tannin and oak weight. The wonderful thing about vintages like 2009 is that the fruit supports this every expansive wine beautifully. An unfathomable concentration of overflowing blackberries, charred meat, cedar, cigar box, pencil shavings and smooth, rich vanilla pod. The Prese regime seem to come close to perfection on many occasions and they may have just achieved it here.