Ashtonishing value and pedigree are on offer with the Mouton Cadet Rouge - a historical wine created by Baron Philippe de Rothschild in the 1930s. With access to some of Bordeaux's finest appellations, the Mouton Cadet is considered the premier affordable Bordeaux wine on the market today. Hard to argue when attractive notes of blueberry, morello cherry and blackcurrant simply cascade from the glass creating a truly memorable red wine experience. Sourced from growers from limestone rich soils of the Entre-Deux-Mers and Côtes de Bordeaux to the clay soils around Blaye and the gravel rich Côtes de Bourg. All contributing to what is possibly the bargain old world wine of the year.

Two words come to mind when you mention great Australian Merlot. Jim Irivne. Jim's Grand Merlot is the benchmark of complex and elegant Merlot in Australia and his Eden Valley vineyards are the perfect place to produce this iconic wine.

The Victorian Pyrenees region is one of the few regions in Australia capable of producing consistent and distinctive high quality Merlot. Produced from selected parcels of fruit from their estate vineyard, this Merlot shows definitive varietal and regional character: medium-bodied in weight with a vibrant mouthful of bright fruit flavours, supported by a firm structure of fine grain tannins.

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.

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.

A pioneer of Merlot, James Irvine has produced an attractive plump style with leafy plum and mulberry flavours. The perfect match with crown of lamb.

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.

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.

John Riddoch (1827 - 1901) is the man responsible for putting Coonawarra on the map after establishing the Coonawarra Fruit Colony in 1891. Today, Coonawarra and its famous 'terra rossa' strip of limestone rich soil is home to some of Australia's greatest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. This Riddoch Cabernet is an exciting expression of the region with its deep purple colour, spicy plum, chocolate and toasty vanillan aromas which are followed by a luscious palate of blueberry and accompanying eucalypt accented spice.

Pure Vision's Organic Merlot is an outstanding value Merlot, taking on bottle aged secondary flavours of poached plum and soft tannins, yet still vibrant and youthful in spirit. Delicious.