The warm even climate of the Murphy family's Trentham vineyard is ideally suited to producing rich softly textured Merlot with toasty oak and berry flavours - great with lamb!

The typical Margaret River Cabernet characters of red berries and leafiness are neatly balanced with the softer, plummy notes of Merlot.

From one of Margaret River's best and original producers, Vasse Felix comes this excellent Cabernet Merlot blend has great concentration of blackcurrant fruit with cedary oak and fine tannins - a style with elegance and finesse rather than power.

Taltarni and Cabernet are back in town with that brilliant Pyrenees Cabernet. Typical aromas of blackcurrant leafiness and cigar box and a refined complex medium weight palate with supple texture makes this Taltarni release great drinking now and will cellar extremely well.

Impressive intensity of fleshy blackcurrant and blueberry flavours framed by structured tannins, Paul Mas Cabernet Sauvignon is a gem found in the South of France with amazing value.

While Durif is not widely grown in Australia but has a loyal following nonetheless. De Bortoli Deen Vat 1 is an excellent example, showing typically deep colour and lots of rich, ripe fruit supported by firm tannins. Perfect when paired with a thick cut steak and roasted vegetables.

Balnaves has always produced a a classically elegant Coonawarra Cabernet. Blackcurrant fruit, liquorice and mineral characters are enhanced by cedary French oak. Beautifully balanced with a long, textured finish.

The Eden Hall Cabernet Sauvignon from the Eden Valley is a wonderfully striking Cabernet with swathes of lifted violets, ripe plums and blackcurrant all supported by a quality oak regime that has integrated brilliantly. While youthful the wine is plump and juicy, it will age very nicely and improve with some careful cellaring over the next decade.

Zonnebloem has a deep and connected relationship with its history which dates back to the 1700s in South Africa. With the knowledge that great wine takes great time, Zonnebloeum hand craft a truly exceptional example of Cabernet Sauvignon here that is overflowing with aromas of thyme, cassis and dark cherry. A lively palate follows that has exceptional tannin structure and nice, long finish.

For many years a champion of premium Australian Cabernet Shiraz, Yalumba first created FDR as an elite quality wine to reward staff and to enter high end wine shows. Now available to us mere mortals, it is rich in black fruits and spice.