Is a cracker, but an idiosyncratic wine; much in the same way as Bordeaux’s Château Tertre Roteboeuf. It’s the type of claret style that would win a prize in the Australian Burgundy classes of yore. Voluminous and inky deep, it show lifted cassis, cedar, dried apricot, hint wood varnish aromas and flavours, fine supple/slinky texturesand well-integrated roasted chestnut notes. This is a terrific ‘vin de garde’ with all the elements for long term ageing. A high water mark for Terre à Terre.

Another string to their 'Single Vineyard' bow, Wynns reinvested in the Child's vineyard in 2009 - elevating the fruit there from its traditional supporting role in other premium releases (including John Riddoch and Black Label) to having a dedicated bottling of its own. See Chief Winemaker Sue Hodder speak about the spectacular 2015 release:

Our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon brims with ripe, concentrated aromas of black currant and blackberry with a roasted coffee and mocha background, underscored by threads of faint floral notes. This wines lush core of bright blackberry, cherry and red currant are complemented by expressive toasted notes on the mid-palate. The finish is full of lingering flavours of vanilla, caramel, toffee, tobacco and spice. Firmly textured tannins with fresh, balanced acidity make this Cabernet the perfect pairing for port-braised beef short ribs topped with mint leaves.

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.

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett Cabernet Merlot, Hawkes Bay The lions share of Trinity Hills grapes comes from the Gimblett Gravels region, in the lee of Roys Hill. The gravelly soils were left behind by the Ngaruroro River as it changed course over time. The low fertility soils offer little kindness to the vines, forcing them to work and work to produce small crops of great flavour and aromatic concentration. The low fertility soils offer little kindness to the vines, forcing them to work and work to produce small crops of great flavour and aromatic concentration.

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.

The V&A Lane wines from Wynns pay tribute to the wonderful and unique vineyards that are located around V&A Lane in central Coonawarra. This is a wonderful release from Wynns' iconic winemaker, Sue Hodder. A burst of spicy dark fruit hits the nose with ripe cherries, plums and black fruits on the palate. The richness of the fruit is held in check by fine tannins and deft use of good oak. A brilliant wine for right now or many years in the cellar.