Shottesbrooke Merlot from the well drained McLaren Vale is a wonderfully full flavoured, deep and vibrant red wine. Medium body, typical of the variety, combined with fine tannins and a smooth finish, this makes an ideal food accompaniment for poultry and Italian dishes.

When it comes to Australian Merlot, Katnook is among the very best. Lovely plum dark berry and cedary cigar box characters slip seamlessly into a finish that seems everlasting. Aged for 22 months in French oak, the swathes of blackcurrant are a delight to the senses.

The Bethany Cabernet Merlot from the Schrapel family's Bethany winery exhibits herbal blackberry and cherry flavours with subtle oak in the background. Drinking well now, but also can handle a little bit of medium term cellaring to really coax those soft, ripe tannins to infuse beautifully with its primary fruit.

Wild Oats is the current vision of wine industry stalwart, Bob Oatley. Known for his adverturous side, in fact Bob had his start back in the Hunter Valley in the 1960s. The Wild Oats brand continues his strive for excellence and innovation and this Cabernet Merlot reflects this wonderfully. A blend of both Mudgee and Margaret River fruit, the Wild Oats Cab Merlot links the east and west coast of Australia with rich, smooth and velvety fruit and is enjoyable served on all occasions.

At last an affordable Merlot with some real varietal character! Grant Burge Hillcot range has soft ripe red berry and raspberry aromas on the nose. Followed by ripe plum and cherry flavours enhanced by well-integrated oak.

The Moss Wood Amy's offers undeniable Moss Wood quality at an easily affordable price. Beautifully soft yet full-bodied it shows pristine varietal character impeccable balance and is simply a pleasure to drink - whether it be upon its release when it shows optimum primary fruit and robust texture or after a few years in the cellar when the classic secondary characters begin to wonderfully take control.

Since the first release in 2002, Fraser Gallop Estate have gone from strength to strength, picking up a Jimmy Watson Medal along the way. The Cabernet Merlot is a lovely example of the blend which is so at home in Margaret River. Leafy mulberry on the nose with cassis in the background, and a soft , flavoursome palate. Delicious!

A lovely example of Margaret River Cabernet Merlot, Flametree Cabernet Merlot is showing big dense fruit characters of blackcurrant and stewed plums. A silky seamless palate with rich fruit concentration and chocolaty complexity. Matured in French oak barrels has softened and rounded this wine.

Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon has a generous and beautifully structured palate, layered with dense fruits of the forest, ripe tannins and a persistent fruit finish. Taking all before it at the recent Dan Murphy's National Wine Show of Australia, this Xanadu Cabernet will be snapped up quickly!

Majella Cabernet Sauvignon is a classy Cabernet that is a cut above the rest when compared against anything at a similar price. Classic cassis, cedar and herbs are underlined by beautifully handled oak.