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Named after the Roman poet Ausonius in the 18th century, Château Ausone still sits on a site scattered with Roman ruins to this day. In 1976, Pascal Delbeck took control and Ausone's reputation has soared. Now with 'flying consultant' Michel Rolland at the helm of the winemaking team, the wines have become ultra-rich, stylish and veluptuous. The 2009 in particular is a wine of true immense proportions. The vintage conditions were shining on those in Saint-Émilion and the opulence of the estate is balanced by the fine structure and ripe tannins of the 09 which will see the wine further develop for the next 40 years. Unfortunatley only 1,200 cases were made and availability will be extremely limited.

A very important estate in St-Émilion, Château Angélus was acquired by the de Boüard de Laforest family in 1924 and merged with the previously owned Château Mazerat. The apostrophe was dropped in 1989 and is now simply known as Angélus. The wines are characterised by a fabulous texture offered by the high component of Cabernet Franc with the plump softness added by the Merlot creating a wine of pleasing plushness.

Without a doubt one of Bordeaux's most famous vineyards, Cheval Blanc lies on the border of Pomerol and is also easily the most important estate in St-Émilion. Uniquely a blend dominated by Cabernet Franc, Cheval Blanc's wines have a powerful bouquet which is spicy and rich which is followed by fruit that is soft, mellow and liquorous. Matched only by Pétrus in the realm of vigour and concentration, Cheval's exuberance is not to be missed. With this latest release, the 2009, the wines are bordering on immortal. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, this super-smooth, velour textured and opulent red wine shows rambunctious flavours of raspberries, blueberries, liquorice and a smidge of menthol. Will be fascinating to watch this

Tasted blind at the 2012 Southwold tasting, the 2012 Ausone took more time to settle in the glass than its peers, eventually deciding upon briary, violet and cassis scentsvery floral and Margaux-like in style, not powerful but insistent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a crisp line of acidity, blackcurrant pastille mixed with cedar and a dash of spice, the wine finally revving up towards an intense and persistent finish that almost stains the mouth with its opulence. It is a gorgeous Saint Emilion from Pauline and Alain Vauthier. Tasted January 2016. - Rober Parker Jr

The Hoffmann Vineyard Shiraz is a tête de cuvée (literally ‘head of the blend’) style. Key parts of the vineyard, with vines between 60 and 100 years old, are picked at different stages of ripeness, resulting in five separate two-tonne grape parcels ultimately filling 20 barrels. The final wine is a selection of the best four barrels. The annual make will never exceed 200 dozen. It’s an ‘essence-of-Shiraz’ style – uncompromisingly rich and concentrated. The first vintage was 2006 and the wine has begun building a track record that will inevitably match that of the Barossa Ranges wine. Right now, you need to decant it 12 hours (or more) before serving to allow the fruit to come to the fore.

Simply a wine of true perfection. 2009 in Bordeaux has bestowed many a Châteaux with a wine for the ages and in iconic estates like Château Haut-Brion, the wines have been lifted to 'nirvana-ish' levels. One wouldn't be adverse to simply sitting on the nose of this wine for hours without having a want to taste it such is the complexity and aromatic waves that are present. In the mouth though, this Pessac-Léognan boasts flavours of cigar, raspberries, plums, figs and blueberries with a finish that seems to go on for decades. Breathtakingly stunning.

The formidable fortress depicted on the famed vanilla Latour label was built to withstand the Gironde pirate attacks of the 15th Century. And, truly, as well as the tower still stands, so does Latour and its consistent excellence regardless of vintage. Nominally Pauillac, this First Growth sits almost astride the border of St. Julien and its output as one would expect is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with 10 per cent awarded to both Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Any experience with Latour is to be savoured with patience this notoriously slow-developing wine requires at least a decade or twos development. But the reward for this patience is a fulsome melange of power, finesse, depth and tone.

Though it has never been absolutely proven, Chateau Asone is rumoured to be the 4th century home of a Roman villa belonging to the classical poet Ausonius - and indeed, part of the estate does contain archaeological remains of a Roman villa. Needless to say, its a local estate of great pedigree and despite its incredibly lengthy history, it has only changed familial hands three times, culminating in the 17th century with the Dubois-Challon-Vauthier family, in whose descendents hands it remains today. Widely regarded among Bordeaux winemakers to be home to some of the best terroir in the region and that terroir, along with the skilled hand of Alain Vauthier, have made it one of the best producers of Bordeaux wine in the world. Renowned for its unique flavour and rich, full-bodied minerality, the 2016 has been lauded for its regal yet stunning and ethereal character, and widely regarded as one of THE wines of this years vintage.