Chapel Hill's Michael Fragos loves using the Parsons label to showcase McLaren Vale's diversity and varietal character. To achieve the desired style and to harness the regal varietal flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes are strategically harvested to avoid any green tannins or overripe jammy fruit flavours. Full-bodied in style, the palate is both eloquently pure and broodingly complex, supported by fine, savoury tannins. A great companion for a medium rare steak with a solid helping of steamed greens.

Majella Cabernet Sauvignon is a classy Cabernet that is a cut above the rest when compared against anything at a similar price. Classic cassis, cedar and herbs are underlined by beautifully handled oak.

Always regarded as one of Margaret River's favourite wineries due to the inherant quality. Forester Estate seems to marry beautifully with their value-for-money philosophy. This Cabernet Merlot continues to win wide acclaim due to its dark purple colour and its lifted aromas of raspberries and black forest cake. Rich berry flavours are well balanced by a tight tannin structure typical of quality Margaret River Cabernets. The other great bonus is the ability of this great Cab blend to morph into a true cellar star.

Sourced from well-established Barossa vineyards, Pepperjack Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, bold, full-fruited style blend with soft tannins, lots of personality and flavour, the perfect match for a rare aged steak.

Serafino is the winery behind industry icon, Steve Maglieri. Arriving in McLaren Vale in 1968, Steve embarked on a career that has seen his wines win multiple awards across the world. His Cabernet Sauvignon contains fruit that is hand selected from multiple vineyard sites throughout McLaren Vale to deliver a wine that is full-bodied and full of richness. Copious amounts of blackcurrant and blueberry fruit await with supreme textural oak balancing the opulence.

This is seriously good Cabernet from the Barossa Valley. Displaying blackcurrants and plums with a hint of cigar box and soft supple velvety tannins.

The Brand's Laira Blockers Cabernet is a Coonawarra red with classic varietal definition. The nose shows cedar, red berry and tobacco notes. The palate is rich, long and beautifully texturally structured. A multi-award winner, the Blockers can be enjoyed now or cellared in the medium term.

Shingleback have always been known for producing quality McLaren Vale wines at some fantastic prices. Take Red Knot for example! Here they re-launched their estate wines under the 'Davey Estate' label and concentrate on single sites. This Cabernet is wonderfully youthful and full of vibrancy. Fresh black fruit with roasted spice and superbly balanced tannins.

Altos R, a boutique winery in the heart of the best terroir in Rioja, achieve an excellent balance of traditional vineyard methods combined with the latest developments in technology, allowing them to create a great range of unique modern wines. Their Crianza style (aged for at least two years) Tempranillo offers a powerful and complex nose, with notes of fresh fruits, spices, balsamic and toasted oak all perfectly integrated. The palate is structured, round, and balanced, making it an ideal companion to red meats or an assortment of cheeses.

Cat Amongst The Pigeons has been ruffling a few feathers in recent years with its value-for-money full-bodied Barossa Shiraz which continues to delivery on quality and price. Their Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon is a worthy stable-mate with fruit sourced from low-yielding vineyards planted on the western slopes of the Barossa Valley; between Lyndoch and Greenock. Dark berry fruits abound with a rich, spicy fruit character. You can certainly enjoy now, but this cat will further develop with some medium-term cellaring.