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.

Named after the famed Johann Gramp's grandson, Hugo, this is the very best Cabernet Sauvignon in the stable. From the very best sites in the region of Coonawarra, this wine shows classic regional mint and blackcurrant on the nose with a silky supple palate, elegant fruit characters, toasty oak and long, fine tannins.

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.

Te Mata make some sublime Bordeaux style red wines and we've been blessed in recent years with some outstanding vintages. This years release has wonderful floral aromas with intense blackberry, currant and dark plum flavours lead to a rich supple palate with a sustained finish.

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.