Fred Pizzini grew up in Italy and is bringing the taste of his homeland to the Australian dining table. His Sangiovese is one of the best examples in the country, with spicy, savoury fruit hiding a vein of mouth watering acid that is a hallmark of the variety. Delicious now - and will get better with bottle age!

Fresh lifted aromas of plums and cherries abound with black pepper and warm spices on the nose; This Frankland Estate Shiraz has earthy savoury notes that combine seamlessly with subtle oak flavours and grainy tannin on the palate. It is an elegant cool climate Shiraz with a textured palate and a balanced finish.

Based in Nuits-St-Georges, the famous Domaine Faiveley was founded in 1825 and in more recent times, the domaine has greatly expanded its vineyards across the entire Côte d'Or. The grapes are entirely destemmed and fermented in a mix of new wooden vats for the top end wines and stainless steel for the lesser cuvées. This Pinot noir has a beautiful ruby colour. It has pleasant, fresh, red-fruit aromas on the nose, which we find again on the palate. It has rich and very ripe substance, with fine round tannins. It's a very well-structured and pleasing wine.

Typical earthy Hunter Shiraz, with leather and tobacco notes.

Lethbridge are on the cutting edge of fresh and vibrant winemaking with Ray Nadeson at the helm. Winning praise and accolades across the country, Ray produces a Pinot Noir here that displays an intense bouquet of cherry and spice, which leads into a dark cherry, sweet earthy palate with its fine tannins.

Bright, intense ruby red, Tasca Lamuri Nero d'Avola displays rich aromas of cherry, blackberry and mulberry. Vanilla bean, tobacco and aromatic herbs on the palate lead into dark forest fruits and oak adding a beautifully balanced flavour. Good structure and pleasantly fruity with red and black berries.

Dog Point is responsible for some of Marlborough's best Pinot noir. This release has lifted aromas of dark cherries stone fruit and violets. The palate is rich and complex with a supple velvety texture.

Martinborough is considered by many as the home of Pinot Noir - not only in New Zealand but the 'New World' in general. It is hard to argue when wines like this are produced. Pinot Noir superstar, Larry McKenna, hand-crafts a wine that is overflowing with perfumed black, red and green fruit flavours that are all in harmony with the mid-weighted palate. Textured oak and fine-grained tannin give a nod to the fact that this wine will age gracefully for a decade or more. A stunning benchmark.

Intense, textured and showing pure fruit flavours, Jester Shiraz is considered Mitolo's baby G.A.M Shiraz using the same barrels in which the G.A.M was previously aged in. The palate is full of bright, red berry flavours, a subtle herbal character and an overall savoury quality to the finish. Made to be upfront and approachable for early appreciation, the Jester Shiraz delivers excellent quality for the price.