Tintara from South Australia's McLaren Vale represents both history and innovation in McLaren Vale. With a heritage that dates back to 1861 and with a vision to produce contemporary wines, the result are red wines like this Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon. Full of life and vigour with the typical regional chocolate and mocha characters, this McLaren Vale Cab is a perfect little cellar starter or great paired with lamb shanks.

From one of Margaret River's best and original producers, Vasse Felix comes this excellent Cabernet Merlot blend has great concentration of blackcurrant fruit with cedary oak and fine tannins - a style with elegance and finesse rather than power.

Battle of Bosworth Cabernet Sauvignon is a standout wine of flavoursome red fruits and currants; firmly structured, very rich and grippy. Deserves to be taken very seriously. Proof of such comes with the Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2011 McLaren Vale Wine Show.

Nugan Estate Alcira Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is classic Coonawarra all the way. Smells of mint and blackcurrant, tastes of cassis and mocha. Over two years in wood, and time in bottle soften the tannins leaving just a gentle grip. A bargain at this price!

Australia's oldest family owned winery continue to produce wines from the famed Coonawarra terra rossa strip that offer quite simply amazing value. Considered by many to still be the region's best kept secret, The Cigar is a truly delightful Cabernet Sauvignon with lifted violet and blackcurrant aromas with a balanced note of cedar and tobacco. Known to many as the 'Baby Menzies', the Cigar is a brilliant modern take on Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and has always shown a propensity to sell out quickly each vintage.

The Bethany Cabernet Merlot from the Schrapel family's Bethany winery exhibits herbal blackberry and cherry flavours with subtle oak in the background. Drinking well now, but also can handle a little bit of medium term cellaring to really coax those soft, ripe tannins to infuse beautifully with its primary fruit.

The Eden Valley altitudes were always going to be the source for Kym Teusner's grand Cabernet statement. The fruit is awesome beyond belief, and it shows in this ridiculously underpriced masterstroke. An entitled mouthful of dark currants and blue fruits have a lasting depth all their own, wrapped in a precision poised tannin structure with grip and presence, yet silky throughout. Could be rookie of the year!

The Smith & Hooper Cabernet Merlot is a harmonious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot displaying aromas of red berries, eucalypt and a hint of vanilla. Flavours of mulberries, cherry and blackcurrants fill out the smoothly textured palate.

Some great Barossa Cabernets have come out of the Saltram winery over the years and this multi award winning wine continues in that tradition. Enjoy the Peperjack Cabernet Sauvignon's rich berry fruit and chocolately regional character.

This Clare Valley Cabernet from Taylors shows ample varietal blackcurrant flavour seasoned with some attractive sweet oak. The tannins are firm but nicely in balance.