On the rise and rise, Chateau Troplong-Mondot is increasingly considered a peer amongst the 1er Grand Cru Classe producers and perseveres with its lavish, luscious, strking wine styles. The wine is produced by Christine Valette in collusion with famed winemaking consultant Michel Rolland, who has been working with the estate since the 1980s, explaining some of the density and power now found in the wine. This 2010 iteration is 90% Merlot and finishes with a balance of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernt Franc. Consider the wine full-flavoured, dense and rich, but with a grace that belies its 15% alcohol

One of Australia's favourite Pauillac's and favourite Bordeaux's in general year after year. It isn't hard to see why Château Batailley is held is such high esteem with the consistent quality produced year after year. The 2009 marks a high water mark though with Batailley which has seen the wine be regarded with the very best this estate has ever produced. While trademark formidable tannin is still evident, the softness and roundness of the fruit is just a wonder to experience. Will still age for considerable time, most likely 20+ years.

Les Trois Clefs (The Three Keys) is the emblem of the historic city of Avignon, capital of the Cotes du Rhone wine region. Chateauneuf du Pape is a superior Grenache Syrah that delivers all the juicy red fruits, power and complexity the region is famuos for. Lovely dark forest fruits with a hint of spice, the finish is long and smooth. Enjoy with Cassoulet or Grillades de Boeuf!

“Faustine” Côtes de Provence La Londe Red,a red wine from the exceptional La Londe sub-appellation, Faustine receives the greatest care at vinification, with "red grape barrel fermentation". The wine is aged for 18 months. Intense Dark Red Garnet. Blood Orange, pine and Eucalyptus. An exceptional wine with a great aromatic power and a endless depth. To drink now, with a maturateredmeat. A remarkable wine to drink between 16 and 19°.

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 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.

Deep purple in colour, this Merlot has an attractive nose of ripe red berries and cassis. The palate is soft and generous with plenty of sweet, juicy flavours. Great drinking and a great price!

In the upper echelon of 2nd Growth estates, Chateau Cos D''Estournel is located in St-Estephe appelltion, on the fringe of Paulliac and notably just north of the famed Lafite vineyards. Tourists flock to the Medoc estate to see the unusual, Asian-inspired Chateau design, but the wines hold their own and rightfully are considered the finest within St-Estephe. Oak is set to around 80% new barrels while alcohol is a modest 14.5%; the blend in 2010 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Merlot and complimentary Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in tow. A wine for thirty or so years.

Chateau Peymouton is a part of the famed Chateau Laroque, situated about 3.5km east of the medieval town of Saint Emilion. When 27 hectares of Chateau Laroque was elevated to Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé status in 1996, the remaining 31 hectares on the property was designated as Chateau Peymounton - a new Saint Emilion Grand Cru. The Chateau Peymouton parcels are situated on the higher part of the property's plateau, where the soil is composed of fine clay over a limestone base. The wine is made by the same team as Chateau Laroque with the same attention to detail. A blend of 72% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an average vine age of 38 years. Deep dark crimson red, with complex aromatics of blue fruit, cigar box, and hints of violets. Very rich and powerful on the palate, with plush, dense, velvety tannins. A complex, richly flavoured Saint Emilion reflecting its Grand Cru status and the warm vintage.

Chateau Canon shows no shy and retiring character in 2010, set to a naturally ripe and high 15% alcohol. Though power and density is a motif in 2010, there is a surprising suppleness in this wine, born from central St-Emillion vineyards and the same family of wine as Chateau Rauzan-Segla of Margaux. Almost evenly split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc usually, it''s three quarters Merlot in 2010; the wine matures in oak barrel for 18 months, with around 70% of those offering new wood character. While dense and compact, there is a succulence to the wine that suggests cellaring to two decades would be apt.