Ripe and generous, the leafy, minty characters of Cabernet are complemented by the softness and plummy fruit coming from the Merlot. A nice touch of sweet oak completes the picture.

At last an affordable Merlot with some real varietal character! Grant Burge Hillcot range has soft ripe red berry and raspberry aromas on the nose. Followed by ripe plum and cherry flavours enhanced by well-integrated oak.

From a 37-acre vineyard, Château Pavie Macquin is stunningly situated on the clay-limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion on the right bank of Bordeaux. 2010 has produced a formidable wine: a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a top release of the harvest year and a highlight from St-Émillion in 2010. Tannins, restraint and inward concentration are motifs, this is a wine for the patient, sophisticated collector who wishes to embellish a cellar with pedigree wines that need time and maturity to come to the fore.

Sourced from well-established Barossa vineyards, Pepperjack Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, bold, full-fruited style blend with soft tannins, lots of personality and flavour, the perfect match for a rare aged steak.

The gravelly soils and sunny climate of Hawkes Bay are producing some of New Zealand's most exciting reds. This classy Merlot from Oyster Bay shows soft spicy varietal flavours such as, juicy plums and ripe dark fruits. Accompanied by well intergraded oak and subtle tannins, making this wine one of the easier matching to food.

McGuigan produce another fantastically smooth and rich Merlot from their Black Label range. It is a soft and flavoursome wine with ripe fruit flavours of raspberry, cherry and plums integrated with subtle oak.

Some great Barossa Cabernets have come out of the Saltram winery over the years and this multi award winning wine continues in that tradition. Enjoy the Peperjack Cabernet Sauvignon's rich berry fruit and chocolately regional character.

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.

A delicious combination of red currants, ripe crush berries with a fine hint of vanilla oak and tannins, 19 Crimes Cabernet Sauvignon got great structure. It is young and vibrant, which makes it a great food wine to share with your family and friends at gathering.

John Riddoch is not only a famous name in the region of Coonawarra, but an important figure in the Australian wine industry. His pioneering spirit and love of the region has been translated into this bottle of rich and smooth Coonawarra Merlot. Aromas and flavours of ripe plums, dense blueberry and a fine grain tannin structure to support. A welcome return from a highly regarded wine name that won't disappoint if opened today or cellared for the short to medium term.