The Woodlands Margaret is, true to its name, a realisation of all that is great about Margaret River, arguably Australias home of the Bordeaux style. Sourced from the Woodlands Vineyards in Wilyabrup this is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 8% Malbec. Considering the price of the Watson familys flagship, the Margaret offers truly outstanding value.

The Mythology Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to ancient practices, with its own origin embedded in the richness of the Coonawarra soils and the artistry of traditional winemaking techniques. Dense dark fruits with brilliantly aromatics of raspberries and plums, dark chocolate and vanilla bean. Full bodied with lovely tannins, complemented by well-balanced French oak and a wonderfully long structured finish.

Podere La Brancaia is one of Tuscanys leading wine estates, each year winning national and international awards. The winery is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone at Poppi, in Radda in Chianti, and draws on its own fruit from Poppi and La Brancaia in Castellina. A selection of their best Sangiovese, with 20% Merlot, matured in barriques (half new) for 16 months, followed by 6 months in the bottle. Loaded with ripe fruits of dark cherry and plum, the Merlot gives the wine mid-palate depth and richness to make this a great wine for drinking now or cellaring over the short term.

Jacaranda Ridge Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, always exhibiting its Coonawarra provenance in the form of regional aromas and flavours, the intensity of the fruit produced by this location is exceptional for the region. Showcasing traditional regional characters of fine tannin and blackberry leaf, but also a darker, brooding quality unique to the vineyard from which the grapes were sourced. The balance and poise of this wine, along with the ample cassis and dark berry fruit flavour, will see this age well for decades to come.

A purposely early harvest to highlight a fresh red fruit spectrum, naturally lower alcohol, wild ferments, and the use of larger oak for maturation are just some of the techniques employed to make these beautiful food friendly wines.

V&A Lane Shiraz showcases a contrasting wine style from one of the most beloved grape varietals. A purposely early harvest to highlight a fresh red fruit spectrum, naturally lower alcohol, whole bunch inclusion, wild ferments, and the use of larger oak for maturation are just some of the techniques employed to make these beautiful food friendly wines.

The Author pays homage to pioneering vigneron John Riddoch (1827-1901). A true visionary, Riddoch is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Australian wine. The Author represents the finest expression of the vintage. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is classic Coonawarra, with lush red berry fruit, with hints of plum, bramble and mint. Aged in a combination of new and old French Oak, seamlessly integrated with the fruit. Refined and silky tannins lead to a long and persistent length of flavour. This has all the hallmarks of a classic Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and will drink well now but will reward cellaring for 10-15 years.