Tyrrell's Vat 8 is the archetypal blend of tradition and modernity. With a strong history in both the Hunter Valley and Hilltops regions, Tyrrell's are able to showcase the very best in modern Australian winemaking. The Vat 8 consists of a majority Hunter Valley Shiraz the lends beauty, flavour and ripeness and a small parcel of Hilltops Cabernet which supports the Shiraz with power and structure. Elegant and pristine early, this is a wine that will enjoy some time in the cellar to further develop it already obvious complexity.

Premier Cru Montmain's unique terroir of very stony terrain produces a wine with very pronounced mineral aromas, extraordinary power and excellent ageing potential. This Chardonnay by William Fevre shows great structure with good length. Both accessible and very fresh, it shows fantastic concentration.

With 40% of reserve wines, the Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne offers complexity, voluptuous on the nose with notes of freshly baked brioche and the richness of roasted coffee beans. This is a deliciously sophisticated wine that finishes dry with a velvet texture, depth and long-lasting bubbles on the palate.

The important Sauternes property Chateau Suduiraut lies alongside Chateau dYquem and was ranked 1er Cru in the Bordeaux classification of 1855. Suduiraut can boast a history going back to 1580 although in 1992 it joined a family of properties, including Chateau Pichon Baron in Pauillac and Chateau Petit Village in Pomerol, owned by the French insurance giant AXA. Suduiraut, noted for its finesse and subtle complexity, is one of a small group of Sauternes producers which have emerged as worthy rivals to their famous neighbour. The 200ha property has 92ha under vine, mostly on gravel, sand and clay soils.

PIERRE-YVES COLIN-MOREY, Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune blanc

An elegant, textural Viognier with superb balance achieved through assiduous harvesting. The fruit hails from the house block vineyard and is picked early, keeping the final alcohol in check and retaining enough acidity to complement the fragrant floral, apricot notes.

Chardonnay by Farr is made in an elegant, Burgundian style with fine focused acidity, linear structure, creamy mealy texture, and well integrated oak. Complex and multi-layered, it is consistently one of Australias finest Chardonnays.