Dense crimson‑garnet hue leads into aromas of black cherry and bramble fruit layered with sandalwood, peppercorn and a whisper of truffle. The palate is elegant yet powerful — ripe dark plums and cassis, framed by fine, chalky tannins and warm cedar oak, finishing long with forest‑floor depth and an echo of spice.

The 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of Dalwhinnie Chardonnay in the Pyrenees in western Victoria, and the wine is still not missing a beat. With less oak used now than in previous vintages, the wine exhibits magnificent citrus and mineral flavours and aromas with a delicate honey flavour notes and texture. A truly elegant wine.

Deep dark purple. Intense aromas of fresh black and red berries with delicate touches of cinnamon and nutmeg spice. Mesa Shiraz is an elegant yet rewarding cool-climate wine. It exhibits a beautifully ripe core of dark fruits, lifted by complex notes of cinnamon and star anise. Powder fine tannins and subtle French oak complete this regional classic.

The Classic Collection Merlot by Grant Burge is an attractive modern style Merlot that is jam-packed full of all the fruit flavours Merlot lovers have come to adore; Plum, Blueberry and Blackcurrant. Along with that dense fruitiness comes a medium weight in the palate that isn't overladen with sweetness which lends itself magnificently to food pairing with a lean pork and chickpea salads.

George Wyndham was one of the founding fathers of the Australian wine industry after planting the first commercial vineyard in 1830. Wine like this Cabernet Merlot pay tribute to George with its rich blackcurrant and cassis flavours, complemented by plum flavours and soft tannins. A great match with a variety of red meat and game dishes, Mediterranean cuisine and cheese.

In just a few short decades, the Taylor family have etched out a formidable reputation for producing high quality wine from their Clare Valley vineyards. This textbook Merlot captures the varietal characters of berries, fruitcake and velvety tannins. The judicious use of French and American oak adds mocha and vanilla softens and rounds the palate.

Ripe and generous, the leafy, minty characters of Cabernet are complemented by the softness and plummy fruit coming from the Merlot. A nice touch of sweet oak completes the picture.

Merlot is the perfect varietal for those who like their red wines on the smooth side. Soft, velvety and plush with fruit characters of plum, blueberry and blackcurrant, Hardy's have produced a wonderful easy drinking red wine with the added bonus of being bottled in a larger 1L bottle adding great value.

The 2017 Moonambel Shiraz is eminently balanced and refined on the nose, with blood, minerals and flowers in equal measure. This is super composed, balanced and, as far as wine drinking pleasure goes, a triumph. There are notes of cardamom pod, sandalwood, scraped vanilla pod, pomegranate molasses, crushed rocks and kicked earth, and the layers of flavor are defined by very fine, ductile, tannic texture and support. Super

McGuigan produce another fantastically smooth and rich Merlot from their Black Label range. It is a soft and flavoursome wine with ripe fruit flavours of raspberry, cherry and plums integrated with subtle oak.