ELIO ALTARE, Barolo DOCG The Elio Altare Barolo is a blend of Nebbiolo grapes from the La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga dAlba and Barolo sub-regions. Only 800-850 dozen bottles are produced each year from vineyards planted on south and south-east facing slopes in the late 1900s. The vineyards, on various soil types, are farmed organically, but along traditional lines. The grapes are crushed and then macerated on skins for 4-5 days in temperature-controlled rotary fermenters before fermentation using indigenous yeasts. The wine is matured for 24 months in French oak barriques before bottling unfined and unfiltered. The Elio Altare Barolo shows an intense ruby-red colour with hints of garnet. On the nose fresh scents of small red fruits, raspberry, redcurrant and wild roses evolve into licorice and spice notes. The palate is typically warm, elegant and persistent, with soft tannins and a long finish.

Although this wine is plush, dense and rich, it possesses a compelling percussion and balance. Right up there with Grange and Hill Of Grace as one of Australia's best Shiraz, and from one of the greatest vintages too!

Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon is the icon Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Named after Coonawarra pioneer, pastoralist and parliamentarian, John Riddoch, this Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the very best of Wynns vast planting in Coonawarra and it only made in the years that best express Wynns strive for excellence. Arguably richer and more complex from comparable styles in the region, John Riddoch Cabernet is highly sought after and extremely limited.

One of Australia's icon wines, this is Cabernet at its very best. This wine is the very definition of power and elegance. Hand crafted by Keith Mugford and his team in the Margaret River, Moss Wood deservedly fits in the Exceptional category of Langton's Classification of Australian Wine.

Established in 1858 by the first king of Italy, Fontanafredda is now the single largest contiguous wine estate in the Langhe region, with a fierce commitment to organic viticulture as well as woodland regeneration. The Platinum label represents the unique tradition of the Estate and more than 160 years of history. This is a serious, brooding Barolo, aged at the Estate for a minimum of 62 months to highlight the complexity, structure and richness of classic Barolo Reserva. Ruby red with the faintest hints of bricking on the edge. Intensely aromatic and complex, with black cherries, tobacco, dried mushrooms, nutmeg, and sweet balsamic notes all vying for attention. Supple, sweet fruit and round, powdery tannins on the palate. So much complexity with nothing out of place.

Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is a contemporary expression of traditional Barolo. Of Grassos two regular Barolos, Chiniera is the more feminine in style, showing a more floral personality in a finer, more elegant style. The fruit comes from a south-facing 3 ha plot within the Gavarini vineyard, 320-360 meters above sea level, on relatively loose-packed, slightly sandy, calcareous soil. Driven by rigorous attention to detail in the vineyard and picking at optimum phenolic maturity, the Grasso style is underscored by immaculate winemaking. Vigna Chiniera is fermented in stainless steel and typically spends 30 days on skins followed by 30 months maturation in 2500L Slavonian oak casks.

Henschke's flagship Cabernet is named after the late Cyril Henschke who purchased the Eden Valley property in the 1960s. Stephen and Prue Henschke then established the vineyard with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines which produces this intensely perfumed Cabernet. Matured in 100% new French oak for 18 months, this exceptional wine shows blackcurrant and cedar characters balanced with superb fine grained tannin.

Casa Maté is the more masculine of Grassos two regular Barolos, showing darker fruit, more tar and a more robust tannin profile. The fruit comes from a south-facing 3 ha plot within the Ginestra vineyard, 300-350 meters above sea level, on relatively loose-packed, slightly clayey, calcareous soil. Driven by rigorous attention to detail in the vineyard and picking at optimum phenolic maturity, Grassos Vigna Casa Maté is a contemporary expression of traditional Barolo underscored by immaculate winemaking. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and typically spends 30 days on skins followed by 30 months maturation in 2500L Slavonian oak casks.

The now much sought after Righteous range of wines from Kym Teusner was first established in 2005 with the Grenache and this is the latest incarnation of this foreboding Barossa wine. Sourced from an 80 year old bush-vine vineyard, the Righteous Grenache was gently crushed and fermented in open fermenters with regular pump-overs. Maturation was completed in a mix of French and American oak and has resulted in a modern classic Grenache.

Penfolds St Henri is one of Australia's greatest red wines. The Shiraz for St Henri is selected for subtlety and elegance and the finished wine has the structure complexity for extended bottle maturation. The 1991 is a classic St Henri vintage that is good to drink until 2022.