Mechanical harvest at the end of september / beginning of october. Cold maceration prior to the fermentation according the quality of the grape. Slow alcoholic fermentation with temperature regulation. Pumping over 2 to 3 times a day then delestage. Smooth maceration during 3 weeks at 22 Celsius degrees. Ageing in cement vats with wooden dominos.

Petaluma Merlot is medium body with a brick red colour, the superbly perfumed bouquet is a tangle of marzipan, spice, plum and confectionery and is the best nose of the early Petalumas. On the palate, flavours of cherry, plum and spice emerge, with very good depth and complexity.

Packed full of mint, blackcurrants, spice and cedary oak, this wine is indicative of how a great the 2004 vintage was. Drinking beautifully now.

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.

The largest estate in St Emillion, Laroque has been in the Beaumartin family since 1935, but has been completely revitalised and garnered a cult following in the last decade. The vineyards were originally put down in the 18th Century, with the current vines planted in the 1960s. David Suire has taken in the mantle of winemaker with aplomb - his most recent releases being consistently excellent. The property also produces fruit for wines sold as Chateau Peymouton and the estates second wine Les Tours de Laroque.

2006 Patrick of Coonawarra Home Block Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were grown at the Toccaciu Coonawarra estate, and the wine was matured for 26 months in French and American oak; while I am not a fan of ProCork, this is a very attractive wine, which has cruised through six, rising seven, years, the cassis and cedar flavours supported by very fine but persistent tannins.

The aroma is of blackberry and cassis with no leafiness and an earthy, Moroccan leather bouquet typical of the Whalebone terroir. The flavours are rich and strong with an underlying fresh varietal complexity including the spiciness of Cabernet and the fresh leather and anise of Shiraz. The tannins are at once grainy and substantial providing a savoury and long finish. This is an excellent example of Australias own red blend and a pure expression of these unique terroirs.

The Mythology Shiraz is a tribute to ancient practices; its origins are in the richness of the Coonawarra soils and the artistry of traditional winemaking techniques. An opulent and complex palate of plum, ripe cherry and dark chocolate. The seamless oak integration and generous palate weight is complemented by persistent length and fine, chalky tannins.