A ¾ tonne bell with the name of 'Angelus' sits proudly atop the cellars at Wirra Wirra and heralds the beginning and end of vintage every year on the famous McLaren Vale estate. Previously the bell rang out from the Jesuit Church in Norwood thrice daily and due to this tradition, Wirra Wirra continue to name the bell and their very best Cabernet Sauvignon every year, The Angelus. Always a pungent and concentrated Cabernet with notes of cassis, cedar and trademark bitter chocolate bound with fine tannins. A propensity to age in the bottle for over a decade as well as its approachability early in life will appeal to all.

Deep and meaty in its expression, a fleshy and red cedar-like undertone lines the typically velvety texture. Sandown Cabernet Sauvignon by Clarendon Hills.

Ben Riggs has hand-crafted a delicious Shiraz Cabernet Merlot blend here that pays homage to the three-spiked prickle that can be found in the McLaren Vale region and the fact that it's hard to ignore. This unctuous red blend is also extremely hard to ignore with its seamless varietal integration that produces a wine full of richness and opulence. Ripe, dark berry fruits courtesy of Merlot along with spice elements from the Shiraz and a firm, but balanced structure from the Cabernet all come together superbly.

This vibrant and lifted Merlot exudes rich plum flavours with undertones of both red and dark fruits with a soft touch of oak. As the wine develops in the glass, layers of chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom spices come to the fore. The soft mouthfeel and tannin integration allow for all the beautiful flavours of this wine to shine through.

One of our most popular customers picks here at first Choice. Church Block was the first wine the late Greg Trott produced under the Wirra Wirra label back in 1972. He took the name from one of the original vineyards, which runs next to the small Bethany Church (Est 1854) across the road from Wirra Wirras century old ironstone cellars. The wine is a blend of 50% cabernet with 37% shiraz and 13% merlot delivering vibrant colour then true cabernet blackberry and cassis aromas and dominant flavour as well, while the rest of the varietal makeup adds a sweeter fruit-cored palate, full with bright red energy and comforting, easy drinking textures. Enjoy with Beef, mushroom and red wine pie.

This wine presents a deep garnet hue. Fragrances of cranberry, red currant, cassis and herbs leap out of the wine glass. The palate shows classic Cabernet elements. Ripe flavours of cherry, cranberry and cassis integrate with vanilla oak and cedar. Balanced by firm tannins, the wine leads to a persistent and mouth filling finale. This wine can be cellared for a period of 6 to 8 years.

Geoff Merrill Parham Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep red coloured wine with purple hints. It was aged in brand new American oak hogsheads for 27 months. Its complex and powerful bouquet exudes aromas of roast beetroot, dark chocolate, black olive, blueberry, licorice and mint. The focussed yet balanced oak creates depth as it opens up in the glass. The palate is fleshy, full of tannins, structured with tight acidity, and displays flavours of dark blue fruits, black cherry and olive. Enjoy it with runny double brie, white castello, or pork belly.

His upland vineyard raises fruit of rare elegance without losing any of its perfumed intensity. Lithe tannins underlie a strap of lively blackberry, and perfect amounts of sinew, flesh and bright acidity guarantee a highly rewarding decade or two.

"This is the kind of mid-weight wine that never greatly impresses but nevertheless hums along in pleasantsatisfying fashion for years. It's the kind of wine it pays to be on good terms with. It has everything tucked in a sure, sound place: fruit, tannin, acid and texture, all strung along a logical line." 90 points, James Halliday Wine Companion, October 2016.