Made from the Gamay grape variety it is surprising that Beaujolais is not more popular in Australia! Soft, juicy and delicious - this is the ideal picnic companion.

The name Batailley boasts a long and proud history. The vineyard sits on a plateau to the west of Mouton Rothschild and is planted in the classic Pauillac wine appellation proportions with Cabernet Sauvignon the dominant varietal. The name is said to derive from a

Warm, complex, earthy spice tones with a lovely richness. Powerful yet elegant and ageing beautifully.

One of the most expensive Bordeaux wines - and indeed, one of the priciest anywhere - Le Pin is a surprisingly recent arrival on the global stage, with its first vintage having been produced just decades ago in 1979. Originally priced at a modest 700 francs, the praise garnered by the 1982 vintage propelled Le Pin into the global limelight, with sales from that point on par with - or exceeding - those of First Growth Bordeaux wines. An exotic style of Bordeaux, Le Pin possesses a resplendent, lavish mouth-feel with intensely ripe fruit aromas and hints of smoke on the palate.

Crimson in colour with a delicate shimmer. Powerful nose with subtle scents of high grade wood and baking spices, with an attractively fresh note of menthol. Rich and balanced on the palate. A well-managed aging process adds an appealing earthiness, with flavours of wild berries and mahogany. Long and elegant on the finish with molten tannins and the freshness so characteristic of this great wine

The balancing act of Chateau Montrose sees 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and for the first time an inclusion from the recently purchased vineyard parcel of Phelan Segur. Chateau Montrose is considered a top producer from St-Estephe, known for potential in cellaring and considered unique for its style, which is set to 'vin de garde' wines. The estate property is set on gravel-based soils and sits in what is conisdered a microclimate, also conspiring in the unique perfumes, composition and forimdable structure of these wines. 2010 has been spectacular for Montrose power and presence, and will be a worthy wine to drink in a decade to 75 years.

Brouilly is the largest and furthest south of the Beaujolais crus. It has a good south eastern exposure, at the bottom of the Saône Valley at an altitude of 200 to 300 metres. The subsoil consists of granite debris and blue-tinged schist. This also ranked the full 5 stars in my abbreviated-for-iPad rating system! Immediately exuberant, with a diverse array of floral notes, theres also some white pepper and crushed cherry notes. Gamay varietal by Dominique Piron.

Without a doubt one of Bordeaux's most famous vineyards, Cheval Blanc lies on the border of Pomerol and is also easily the most important estate in St-Émilion. Uniquely a blend dominated by Cabernet Franc, Cheval Blanc's wines have a powerful bouquet which is spicy and rich which is followed by fruit that is soft, mellow and liquorous. Matched only by Pétrus in the realm of vigour and concentration, Cheval's exuberance is not to be missed. With this latest release, the 2009, the wines are bordering on immortal. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, this super-smooth, velour textured and opulent red wine shows rambunctious flavours of raspberries, blueberries, liquorice and a smidge of menthol. Will be fascinating to watch this

While Chateau Latour might be proximate to the famed Leoville estate, Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases is individually distinguished for its own unique character, and regularly is called the best wine of St-Julien. Classic Las Cases wines show incredible perfume, a result of lower temperature fermentation and an adherence to around three quarters of their barrels being new oak. The 2010 is as always Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, and shows with elegance, finesse and yet a layered complexity that draws the drinker in. Potential for this wine is immense; a life of 30 to 40 years in cellar should be considered.