Chateau Canon shows no shy and retiring character in 2010, set to a naturally ripe and high 15% alcohol. Though power and density is a motif in 2010, there is a surprising suppleness in this wine, born from central St-Emillion vineyards and the same family of wine as Chateau Rauzan-Segla of Margaux. Almost evenly split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc usually, it''s three quarters Merlot in 2010; the wine matures in oak barrel for 18 months, with around 70% of those offering new wood character. While dense and compact, there is a succulence to the wine that suggests cellaring to two decades would be apt.

From some of the earliest plantings of Shiraz in the Yarra Valley with vines dating back to 1969. Shiraz (96%) co-fermented with small parcels of Viognier, Marsanne and Mataro aged 12 to 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels produces a wine that is perfumed and feminine with the tannins and acidity as integral to the wine as the fruit. Proven to age for 25+ years, Yarra Yering Dry Red No 2 was the first Cote Rotie style blend made in Australia

Standing out from the crowd with its distinctive yellow/brown label, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou was the first second growth producer to break away from the crowd and start to attract higher prices and create the

Second label of 5th growth producer Château Lynch Moussas this classic blend of Cabernet and Merlot has a distinctive cherry and blackberry palate enhanced by vanilla and cedar notes.

Left in a sorry state by the previous owners, in 1962 the Rothschilds of Lafite took over the property and begun to reconstruct the vineyard which was planted mostly to Petit Verdot. 4 decades later and the wines of Château Duhart-Milon are now showing the flavour and concentration you expect from such a site in Pauillac.

Jasper Hills Emilys Paddock is mostly shiraz - with a defining splash of cabernet franc. A lot has been made over the years of the terroir difference between Jasper Hill Emilys and Georgias, but its the cabernet franc that really differentiates them. Wonderfully fragrant and lifted on the nose, Emily's Paddock is not only wonderful upon release, the wine will age gracefully over many years in the good cellar.

Château Léoville-Barton is one of the oldest Château's in Saint Julien with the Barton family still owning the estate some 175+ years since they took stewardship of the property. Always a finely perfumed wine is produced with rich and powerful tannin that gives way to beautiful fruit and richness of flavour with aging. This is especially the case when speaking of the remarkable 2009 vintage which is being classified as one of the very best of the past 100 years. Take advantage of such a vintage with wines like Léoville's that won't break the Bordeaux bank.

Château Trotanoy is one of the oldest and prestigous of any Châteaux on the Bordeaux's right-bank. Trotanoy consists of a tiny 7.5 hectare plot in Pomerol where Merlot is the dominant variety planted. In 2008, Pomerol was the best perfoming of all of the Bordeaux regions and was rated a brilliant 96 by Robert Parker Jr. Wonderfully complex and rich in fruit, this Trotanoy also has a brilliant structure and elegance that will medium-term cellar quite nicely.

This is a soft and approachable red wine which pays homage to Claret's starring role during the inception of Australia's wine industry.

The McGuigan Black Label Red is an approachable, medium bodied style with a nice combination of ripe, soft fruit flavours and the perfect balance of tannin to provide some structure. Not only a great wine to have around great friends and family, but also at home when paired with a wide array of cuisine including barbecued meats and salads.