Bright and medium depth in colour with a crimson red hue. There are aromas of plums, roses, blueberries and spice with a touch of cedar. The palate has impressive supple texture, it opens with jujube fruit transitioning to a silky linear tannin and plum middle palate.The wine finishes refreshingly bright and lingers long after the last sip. This is a wine to cellar for ten years and will be drinking at its best in five years. Enjoy with roast chicken or contemplate over a vintaged cheddar.

Tucked away in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, next to Saint Emilion, is award winning Château de Colombe, a tiny estate much neglected until we took ownership in 2012. Now it’s being lavished with utmost care in the vineyard and the cellar. Our Head Winemaker, Haut-Brion-trained Jean-Marc Sauboua, quickly spotted the potential of its steep, south-facing slopes and limestone soils. Judging by the 11 Golds won over the last five vintages (two for 2020), he was spot on. 2020 has been unanimously declared as 'exceptional', its fruit deliciously ripe, which has made for a very much ‘drink me now’ style. Merlot with a little of both Cabernets and Malbec, aged a few months in barrel, this red is fruit-rich and supple. For now open early and decant.

Woodlands Cabernet Merlot is one of the regions best examples. The Watson brothers are the custodians of a family heritage in Margaret River that continues to this day. The Cabernet Merlot has attractive and complex aromas of dark berry and plum supported by well integrated vanillin oak. The palate shows similar characters with outstanding length of flavour and perfect balance. Drink now or cellar short term.

Parker Estate Terra Rossa Shiraz is a little gem from Coonawarra. Generously rich with ripe dark forest berries complimented by mocha, cassis and a hints of spicy oak.

Parker Estate Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon is a Coonawarra Cabernet that always looks classy. Big rich cassis, blackberry and raspberry fruit ripple with an appealing suggestion of leafiness. The very best oak is always used for Parker's wines and that is evident again with fine integrated influence of French oak that delivers a balanced cedar and cigar box finish.

John Riddoch MHA, who entered South Australia's Parliament (1865) as the South East's representative. Founded the Coonawarra Wine Region (1890) with the aspiration of making the finest wine in the country. The 2021 Riddoch The Representative Cabernet Merlot exhibits Cassis redcurrant spice aromas, fine chalky tannins and generous flavours. Aged in new-and-seasoned French and American oak for around 12 months, the wine is supple with gentle vigour. Drink now or may be cellared for years to come.

John Riddoch's first vintage of Coonawarra Claret (1890) was a shiraz-dominant wine. As the region's first wine grower he envisaged that Coonawarra would become one of Australia's finest wine regions. The 2021 Riddoch The Winegrower Shiraz has frangrant blackberry anise aromas, supple tannins and complex graphite tones define the stylish Coonawarra Shiraz. Matured in new and seasoned French and American oak barrels. Drink now or will reward careful cellaring for up to 10 years.

This 2014 Rosabrook Cabernet Merlot is one of the Margaret River's signature wine styles. Great licks of black fruit from the Cabernet Sauvignon interlaced with the smooth plum characters on Merlot. It is a beautifully made wine with great balance and a lengthy finish. It will be great with meat dishes or even a cheese platter. Owned by Calneggia Family Vineyards, one of Margaret River's pioneering grape growers with winemaker legend Brian Fletcher pulling the winemaking levers.

Consistency has been the hallmark of Majella Shiraz for some time now. Ripe fresh raspberry and mulberry fruit is supported by fine tannins and subtle oak.

Just when we thought 2019's multi-Gold The Artisan Coonawarra Cabernet was going above and beyond, the 2020 one-ups it with EIGHT Gold medals! It's from Allegiance Wines, an estate founded by Tim Cox whose love of wine and allegiance to the grape has seen him create a range of outstanding (and critically acclaimed) wines from premium regions around the country. Generous nose of blackcurrant, green capsicum, Kaffir lime and Thai curry spices. The powerful flavours direct you straight to Coonawarra: blackcurrant and cassis, with hints of menthol and cedar. Grippy tannins. Will age for at least 10 years. Scored 95pts from Wine Orbit and 96pts at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (along with a Great Gold). More Gold medals at the Melbourne International Wine Show and six other international wine competitions.