When you open the bottle of Capel Vale Debut Merlot, the warming aroma of ripe plums, mulberry and briary notes fills your glass. A great balance of the acidity, juicy red fruits and soft tannins delivers an enjoyable wine with a med savoury finish.

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.

One of the established names of Coonawarra, Redman Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from hand pruned low yielding mature vines. Ripe blackcurrant fruit and vanillin oak make this fine drinking now.

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.

Established way back in 1893 by true regional pioneers, Kaesler has been reborn by winemaking vionary, Reid Bosward. The Cabernet Sauvignon has fresh cassis and herbal notes with the perfect amount of ripe tannin. To finish the package off, sublime length.

From the highly regarded wine making team at Pierro comes this more than worthy second label. Expressive red berry characters on the nose are intermingled with nuances of blood plum, and on the palate these flavours are underpinned by subtle oak.

The Regional Series from Capel Vale showcase grape varieties and their most suited regions. This example of Margaret River Cabernet has all the traditional flavours of blackcurrent, bay leaf and a hint of cigar box.

Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon is a bright red colour with a fragrant nose of primary red fruits and blackcurrants. Aromas of crushed blackberries with sweet mocha also fill the nose. Brimming with rich blackcurrant fruit and sour cherry flavours, the wine is mid-weight and displays a soft velvety finish.

The high altitude Orange region is producing some outstanding Merlot and this release, made by Debbie Lauritz, is a great example. Aromas of dried herb and currant are supported with sweet fruit flavours.

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.