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.

A wine who’s reputation proceeds it, 0f particular note is the interesting winemaking on show here – it’s old school, yet cleverly so, with all the components co fermented, everything relying on the juice, rather than new oak to tell the story. I like that blend of old and new – its what the Barossa does best. A mid red colour, this has dried herbs, cherry, a waft of VA and tomato paste on the slightly forward savoury nose. There is even a hint of saddle, though its more winey than bretty. The palate is medium bodied, pleasurably soft and somewhat evolved, with spicy old oak the only influence, the rest derived from integrated, maturing fruit. It feels like a pair of favourite jeans – worn in all the right places and comfortable from the get go, yet without losing its style. Suffice to say its one very drinkable, enjoyable, medium bodied drink and its all the better for it. It probably won’t seduce you with its intensity and some will be looking for more primary fruit freshness (I’d like to see it in a screwcap too because I’m a stelvinista or even a vino-loker: now they are pretty sexy too) but I’d drink a ton more of this than so many heavier Barossan reds. 18.0

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.

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.

A striking creature with a most lustful heart, the night is her ally in performing her craft. She strives to obtain a ruby red treasure, of unsurpassed beauty and value past measure. A calling in life, her great reason to live, she takes what she wants but chooses to give. Adrian Hoffmann is the source of the Mourvèdre and Grenache. Old vines, big flavour, just what you would expect from his Ebenezer vineyards. The other part - the Shiraz - has come from Redheads' long-time partner in crime John Kalleske over in Koonunga. Bright, lifted red fruit aromas of sweet cherry and plum combined with floral and turkish delight characters. Subtle savoury notes, dark morello cherry and red plum characters. A mid-weight GSM with softly woven tannins.

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.

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.

Dark fruits and licorice intermingled with forest undergrowth notes precede a long lasting, fine tannin Rosemary flavoured finish. The medium weight but firm structure and vibrancy of this wine ensure it has many possible food matches.