The aroma is rich with flavours of ripe blackcurrant and savoury herbs. The flavour shows spice and vanilla oak with a smooth structure and silky finish. Related to the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have a thick skin making them higher in tannins than varieties such as Pinot Noir. This grape is popular due to its ability to be grown in a range of soils and climates from Australia and abroad such as Coonawarra, Margaret River, France and Chile. As a result, Cabernet Sauvignon is a full bodied wine with flavours of blackberry, currant and cinnamon. It pairs well hearty red meats, winter stews and even rich chocolate desserts.

McLaren Vale is home to some of Australia's biggest reds and here's a prize example from the bestselling 'Black Pig' - a cassis-rich Cabernet with wall-to-wall black cherry and bramble tones and a delicious lick of menthol.

Lifted ripe plums and a red berry fruit notes complimented by hints of clove and vanilla bean spices. The palate has a supple fruit core of juicy dark plum and bright red berry fruit notes dominate, held together by fine grained tannins across the mid palate with a lovely acid line. Evans & Tate

Taylors Discoveries Cabernet Sauvignon is a vibrant crimson red, with lifted fruit aromas of blackcurrant, cassis and a touch of herbaceous notes. A bouquet of subtle cedar characters from the oak maturation add complexity which works well with its medium body and gentle palate of juicy blackcurrant fruits. Silky smooth mouth feel and a lingering finish.

The grapes for this sibling to the organic Chardonnay are sourced from Angove's own Organically certified Nanya vineyards and premium certified Organic growers in the Riverland region. The result is a versatile, vibrant and spicy yet easy to drink red full of dark fruit and soft oak flavours, with a long yet soft, earthy finish.

An exciting Jamiesons Run bargain! Offering a level of dark currants, mocha and five spice completely unexpected in this price range.

The ability to source fruit away from their home base in the Hunter is paying dividends for Brokenwood. This Cricket Pitch is a ripe, fully flavoured red blend - this is the ideal BBQ companion.

Hardys have produced an easy drinking Cabernet, with attractive soft berry flavours which flow easily across the palate and gentle tannins on the finish. Bottled in the larger format 1L bottles, there's now more to go around!

Nose: Dark berries & spice notes and vanillin oak aromas. Palate: Shows dark fruits, chocolate and spice aromas, enhanced by cedar and vanilla notes. Spends 12 months in French oak.

The Arrogant Frog Ribet Red Cabernet Merlot from the South-West of France is a juicy, easy drinking style with soft tannins on the finish. Jean-Claude Mas has crafted the perfect red to enjoy with grilled lamb chops from the BBQ or many pasta dishes.

McLaren Vale reds are known for generosity of fruit. Red Knot Cabernet, with it's cassis, dark berried characters and a lingering finish, has the added bonus of being terrific value for money.