Blue Pyrenees Estate Red is a classical example of the style and power of Blue Pyrenees Estate. A historial multi-award winner, the Estate Red is a luxurious amalgam of blue and black fruits supported by balanced eucalypt and subtle milk chocolate textures. A stunning wine to enjoy today or leave alone in the cellar for the medium term to further amplify its unique character.

With his wines acclaimed by critics worldwide, Diffonty is a household name in the southern Rhône. Fine wine expert and Rhône fan Robert Parker described the Diffonty Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf wines as “full-bodied, powerful, rich and oozing unmistakable Provençal character”. Comprising mostly Grenache supported by a little Syrah, the Réserve de l’Abbé is made by Jean-Marc with as much care and attention as he affords his top reds. Using grapes from just outside the Châteauneuf boundary, the wine was fermented in traditional wooden and also stainless steel vats before blending and bottling. It’s sumptuous and velvety, with warming red berry and wild herb complexity. Best decanted early, the wine’s ideal served with a hearty casserole.

This stylish sparkling has an elegant, delicate nose of green apples and citrus fruit. The palate is crisp and lively, the flavours in the lemon and lime spectrum with attractive minerally and acidity running through. A very classy fizz.

Brilliant ruby-red with purple hints. Expressive, continuous and delicate aromas of red cherries and spices. Fresh in the nose and in the palate. Supple and joyful structure where the flavours are persistent and of a light nature. Paolo Scavino owns 29 hectares entirely in the Barolo area and works on 20 Barolo historical crus located in Castiglione Falletto, Barolo, La Morra, Novello, Serralunga d'Alba, Verduno and Roddi. The Scavino family distinguishes itself from the beginning by their scrupulous care of the vineyards and passion for terroir. Their core beliefs is the supremacy of the viticulture above the oenology therefore the focus is the care of the vines in order to grow ripe and healthy grapes. In winemaking minimal and equal intervention are sought, to preserve natural diversities, terroir.

Chateau Ducluzeau is owned by Bruno Borie, owner of the iconic Second Growth Ducru Beaucaillou in St Julien. The 10ha vineyard in Listrac being planted to 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (the highest percentage of Merlot in the entire appellation). Classic Bordeaux through and through - with beautiful notes of liquorice, rose, plum and blackberry.

The Pike brothers established Pikes winery in the Polish Hill sub-region of the Clare Valley in 1984, renovating an old stone shearing shed to house their winery and cellar door. Neil is the veteran winemaker (he’s done 38 vintages in Clare); Andrew the seasoned viticulturist (he spent 22 years working for big names like Wynn’s Coonawarra and Southcorp before establishing Pikes). Together they turn out formidable wines that earn plenty of show medals and critical acclaim. Their richly textured 2017 'Wilfred's Block' really is magnificent. A definitive Australian blend of inky, slatey Cabernet and sumptuous, spicy Shiraz, it’s a contemplative wine – the layers of flavour will reveal themselves slowly – and perfect for winter sipping. It will cellar well until 2032, but is still drinking beautifully now. Decant, pour into big glasses, and savour with good food and good friends.

Deep, dark and dangerously easily to drink, Rex Mundi Special Edition is a beguiling black beauty. It was created by Parker rated winemaker Hervé Sabardeil, whose lavish elixirs have been enchanting us for over a decade. It is a Carignan-Grenache blend made from grapes taken from the very oldest vines – some over 100 years in age – grown on the finest slate soils of Maury in the Roussillon. As you might imagine yields are minute, which accounts for the depth of colour and intensity of flavour. Hervé aged half the wine in oak cask for six months to lend a luxurious layer of complexity. This is a powerful red, beautifully balanced and terrifically long with herbal spice nuances. Slips down nicely on its own, or with rich game pie.