As winelovers try this stunning Coonawarra Cabernet example, with concentrated chocolate, berry, mint, and spice flavours, a smooth acidity and a long finish, no doubt both it and Coonawarra will have even more devoted advocates. Coonawarra advocates will quickly point out that the famous strip of terra rosa makes some great wine, not just in Australia, but the world. Making this wine great for drinking now, while ensuring a long life.

Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon is the beacon of quality that all Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is compared to. Coming off the iconic red soils of Coonawarra, Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon is classic elegance. Chief winemaker, Sue Hodder, is able to craft a wine brimming with aromas of blackcurrant and plum that combine with spicy minty notes. The palate is well structured, long and fine. With the right cellaring condition, this could easily be a cellar gem.

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.

The Parker Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is made in a riper, more generous style to its peers, yet with enough restraint to display the distinct varietal and regional characteristics. Offerings of ripe blackberry and damson plums, wafts of warm earth, iodine, mint and black olives. The palate shows a lot of restraint and freshness, fuller bodied not big though with determined tannins. A solid performer not just a backup singer.

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.

A relatively new addition to the Taylors range, the Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon is part of a range that includes some of the best in the Taylors lineup of fine wines. Elegant with intense fruit flavours of cherry and cassis along with hints of mint, cedar and spice.

A relatively new addition to the Wynns stable to compliment the Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz Merlot and the Coonawarra Shiraz, The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon brings lovely varietal and regional character in a Cabernet that is approachable on release, but also benefits from a few years in the medium term cellar. According to chief winemaker, Sue Hodder, The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon aims to deliver a leading affordable Cabernet that showcases exceptional varietal and region characteristics of red cherry, mint and dark berry flavours, while an array of gentle tannins will further reward from short to medium term cellaring.

The Tally sits comfortably in the company of Australia's greatest Cabernets. Massive fruit tannin to pucker your lips, dripped over deep luscious varietal fruits with some of the world's finest French Oak to complement. Any lover of Cabernet Sauvignon is neglecting their education if they have not had a bottle!

Wynns 'Red Stripe' Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot continues to be a market leader and beacon for quality wine at an affordable price. Cabernet brings cassis and mint, while spice and plummy fruit is provided by the Shiraz and Merlot. Drink now or cellar for a year or two.

Katnook is a beacon for quality in Coonawarra for many a decade. Their Cabernet is their flagship that has a rich and elegant bouquet with aromas of cedary blackcurrant. Supported by well integrated toasty oak while the palate shows long fine varietal flavours.