Notes of mint and five-spice are evident on a sturdily constructed palate of black olive, herbs and dark fruits alongside fine, ripe tannins that will support the development of additional character and complexity if cellared.

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.

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.

Continuing the tradition of rich full bodied Clare reds this Cabernet Sauvignon shows ripe blackberry aromas and generous flavour with a touch of cedary oak and fine tannins.

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.

In just a few short decades, the Taylor family have etched out a formidable reputation for producing high quality wine from their Clare Valley vineyards. This textbook Merlot captures the varietal characters of berries, fruitcake and velvety tannins. The judicious use of French and American oak adds mocha and vanilla softens and rounds the palate.

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.

For many years a champion of premium Australian Cabernet Shiraz, Yalumba first created FDR as an elite quality wine to reward staff and to enter high end wine shows. Now available to us mere mortals, it is rich in black fruits and spice.

Restrained red fruit with a background of menthol, leather and tobacco on the nose leads to a big mouthful of cherries, vanilla and plums with good intensity. A nicely balanced wine, drinking very well.

Brown Brothers Cienna, with all its generous fruit sweetness is a joyous lower alcohol red that is a truly easy drinking style. The nose is filled with juicy berry aromas and the palate is soft flavoursome and slightly spritzy.