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.

Petaluma Merlot is medium body with a brick red colour, the superbly perfumed bouquet is a tangle of marzipan, spice, plum and confectionery and is the best nose of the early Petalumas. On the palate, flavours of cherry, plum and spice emerge, with very good depth and complexity.

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.

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.

Notes of mint and five-spice are evident on a sturdily constructed palate of black olive, herbs and dark fruits alongside fine, ripe tannins that will support the development of additional character and complexity if cellared.

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.

Hollick Cabernet with all it's bouqet and flavours is classic Coonawarra. Subtle dark chocolate and cloves are framed by ripe berry aromas, the palate delivers rich varietal flavours of blackcurrant enhanced by cedary oak. Continues to be a go-to Cabernet from the famed region.

LTCf stands for 'little touch of cabernet franc'. This classic Bordeaux blend has plenty of rich and concentrated flavours with fine tannins.

This wine by JJ Hahn showcases the lovely softness, elegance and sensitivity that is Merlot. This vineyard has continually produced fruit that doesn't show excessive ripeness on the nose or on the palate and has always surprised us in the most difficult of years.