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.

Mildara first released wines in the late 1800's and was one of the earliest pioneers of the Coonawarra region in the 1950's. One of the most exciting wines in Dan's Cellar Release program, the 2004 Rothwell Cabernet is a wine of fierce structure, elegant balance and sheer drinkability. Classic blackcurrant, minty, toasty oak, medium bodied with a juicy pastille richness and firm tannins. Superb right now, it will evolve over many years to come.

Medium bodied with the plush dark berry fruit framed by fine grained tannins to give a long and persistent finish.

Dense inky black heart with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Streaming out of the glass are intense blackcurrant and mulberry aromas which are complimented by hints of red liquorice, cedary tobacco characters and bay leaf notes. Rich yet gorgeously refined the medium to full bodied palate is layered with ripe blackcurrant, red liquorice and mulberry fruits which meld into a back drop of cedary tobacco, subtle earth and bay leaf characters. Fine grained seamlessly integrated tannin structure. Understated in its power, it possesses wonderful finesse finishing long and elegant. Drink over the next 6-8 years. Alc. 14.5%

When it comes to Australian Merlot, Katnook is among the very best. Lovely plum dark berry and cedary cigar box characters slip seamlessly into a finish that seems everlasting. Aged for 22 months in French oak, the swathes of blackcurrant are a delight to the senses.

Katnook is a beacon for quality in Coonawarra for many a decade. Their Cabernet is their flagship that has a rich and elegant bouquet with aromas of cedary blackcurrant. Supported by well integrated toasty oak while the palate shows long fine varietal flavours.

2018 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon, Nose of Dark cherry and lavender imbued with underlying dried mint. The 2018 Black Label Cabernet is a combination of dark fruit and finesse. Initially the palate is soft and round, but a fine tannin framework provides structure and length on the palate. A beautifully balanced, medium- weight Cabernet with all the hallmarks of this 20heritage label. Pristine varietal cabernet fruit balanced for guaranteed cell

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.

Yalumba continue to produce amazing quality, premium wines for a fraction of the price they could demand. The Menzies is prime example with rich, blackcurrant and cassis fruit with integrated oak that fills the mouth.