Deep yet bright mulberry purple in colour, this Hunter Cabernet – Merlot is a charmer. The aromas show loads of energy, with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon providing fresh florality, opening with briarberry and raspberry. These perfumes open out to deeper signatures of crème cassis and mint, plus subtle background support of vanilla and menthol from fine French oak. Cabernet is supreme on the palate too, delivering long, focussed flavours of raspberry and cranberry with hints of olive. 20% Merlot contributes roundness and depth throughout, with spiced plum silkiness that adds body and softness onto the finish. Tannins are powder-soft, showing the plush satin-like harmony of deluxe French barrel. This elegantly structured blend is definitely a keeper, and will take several years of cellaring to open out. Decanting is ideal if drinking earlier.

One of the benchmark wines of the Hunter Valley, Lake’s Folly Cabernet blend is an elegant perfumed style displaying violet, blackcurrant, earthy characters, fine-grained tannins and underlying savoury oak. The wine is open fermented followed by maturation in 300 gallon casks for six months followed by 12 months maturation in an equal combination of new, one and two year old French oak barriques.

Typical earthy Hunter Shiraz, with leather and tobacco notes.

Australia's first boutique winery, Lake's Folly Cabernets is an Australian wine treasure. More Bordeaux in nature than most, the Cabernets is a wine of pristine purity and elegance. With a sense of place that can be tasted in every bottle across all vintages, Lake's Folly Cabernets is a must have for all serious wine collectors and lovers. The 2010 is a young, robust version that will require some time in the cellar to really show its complex characteristics and refined palate.

Bimbadgen Ridge Shiraz Cabernet Merlot is a medium bodied wine that combines the firm fruity characters of Shiraz with the length and finish of Cabernet and soft fleshy Merlot.

De Iuliis Estate Shiraz is a deep-red coloured wine with a vibrant purple hue. The wine is savoury, earthy and spicy on the nose with a touch of cherry, blackcurrant and plum. The palate has a soft mouthfeel from fine-grained tannins and captivates with flavours of ripe plums and blackberries. This medium to full-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz will continue to improve with careful cellaring. Enjoy it with BBQ lamb cutlets or red sauce pasta.