Colour: Deep red with purple tints Nose: Blackberry and dark cherry aromas are matched by subtle spicy, vanilla oak Palate: A very complex palate with blackberry flavours and fine, silky tannins Style: Full bodied wine matured for 14 months in 50% French and 50% American oak barriques Serve with: Red meat, smoked or gamey meats and strong cheeses

One could be mistaken for thinking Grove Estate was in the heart of Coonawarra with it's vivid red soil. It's in fact nestled in the emerging region of Hilltops in NSW and with the guidance of Canberra guru, Tim Kirk, this great Cabernet shows flavours and aromas of liquorice, blackberry and rich cassis.

From Orange in NSW, this Shiraz is a good introduction to the qualities of this emerging area. It shows aromas of plum and spices and the palate is all about the fruit with little intrusive oak.

Tucked away nicely in the Adelaide Hills, Sidewood Estate have made an art form out of crafting some of the very best single vineyard cool-climate wines available in Australia. Owen and Cassandra Inglis purchased the boutique property in 2004 and immediately set about making their vision become a reality. Their Sidewood Shiraz displays that vision to perfection. Attention to detail is the key here which enables flavours of red cherry, currants and dark plum to shine through along with hints of cinnamon and spice. The texture is beguiling and gives promise to a wine that will age for up to a decade.

The savoury and smooth Tempranillo is complimented by thespicy fruit and structure of Graciano. The resultant wine has greater intensity, depth and length.

This Single Vineyard Malbec from 5-star-rated Hungerford Hill’s talented Bryan Currie is “Ripe, plush, weighty and inviting with fabulous fruit concentration" It boasts: "... Dark berry fruit plus scented red rose petals and a hint of musk." (Toni Paterson, The Halliday Wine Companion).