2006 Patrick of Coonawarra Home Block Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were grown at the Toccaciu Coonawarra estate, and the wine was matured for 26 months in French and American oak; while I am not a fan of ProCork, this is a very attractive wine, which has cruised through six, rising seven, years, the cassis and cedar flavours supported by very fine but persistent tannins.

Named after the famed Johann Gramp's grandson, Hugo, this is the very best Cabernet Sauvignon in the stable. From the very best sites in the region of Coonawarra, this wine shows classic regional mint and blackcurrant on the nose with a silky supple palate, elegant fruit characters, toasty oak and long, fine tannins.

When it comes to Australian Merlot, Katnook is among the very best. Lovely plum dark berry and cedary cigar box characters slip seamlessly into a finish that seems everlasting. Aged for 22 months in French oak, the swathes of blackcurrant are a delight to the senses.

Nugan Estate Alcira Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is classic Coonawarra all the way. Smells of mint and blackcurrant, tastes of cassis and mocha. Over two years in wood, and time in bottle soften the tannins leaving just a gentle grip. A bargain at this price!

Deep crimson in colour with aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and graphite, layered with hints of cedar and tobacco. The palate is powerful yet refined, showing concentrated black fruit, fine-grained tannins, and balanced acidity. Long, elegant finish with notes of dark chocolate and subtle spice, promising excellent cellaring potential.

The Masters wines are the top tier of Peter Lehmann's original classic Barossa varietals, made for the long haul and released with bottle age to capture their full potential. These wines are named after a person or event that has played an intrinsic role in the Peter Lehmann story. Over his 50-year career, Peter Lehmann has inspired countless people by sharing his talent, wit and passion for winemaking. It is these characteristics we honour with "Mentor". For this wine, they blended Barossa Cabernet with Shiraz and a dash of Malbec to create a wine with layers of texture and flavour. By drawing fruit from a number of Barossa sub-regionseach with their own unique terroirthe Mentor captures the immense regional definition of a great Barossa red. Having worked closely with the growers over the years, they share Peter's belief in growing wine, not just grapes, and work with the winemaking team to keep yields low and produce a complex wine, with rich and firm dark fruit flavour.

Never forget the teeth. Especially with a good cabernet like this. You’ve got 36 gleaming ivory sensors to swirl the flavours around. To thresh the tannins against like waves on rocks. To chew the chewiness and know it’s real. Swirling, filtering, rewinding the tape over the playback heads in the back. And letting it all go, bar the mouth-filling echo that lingers just long enough to make you second-guess. And have some more.

Deep garnet with aromas of blackcurrant, cedar and graphite. The palate is rich and structured, showing concentrated cassis, dark chocolate and fine-grained tannins. Elegant and powerful, it finishes long with classic Coonawarra mint and oak spice.

Jacaranda Ridge Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, always exhibiting its Coonawarra provenance in the form of regional aromas and flavours, the intensity of the fruit produced by this location is exceptional for the region. Showcasing traditional regional characters of fine tannin and blackberry leaf, but also a darker, brooding quality unique to the vineyard from which the grapes were sourced. The balance and poise of this wine, along with the ample cassis and dark berry fruit flavour, will see this age well for decades to come.