Château Certan-de-May is a wonderul, quaint vineyard with only 5 hectares under vine that produce a rich, smooth and fleshy Merlot dominated wine. Located right in the heart of the Pomerol appellation on Bordeaux's right bank, this vineyard enjoys the same soil as it's neighbour, the acclaimed Château Cheval Blanc. The 2009 vintage release of the Certan is a bruising, black fruited beast that is slightly overpowering to some degree early in its life, yet for those who like their Merlot's with a bit of power, this is your Pomerol. Give it 5 to 10 years in the cellar though and all parties are sure to revel in this succulent masterpiece.

Château Tanunda's Newcastle combines Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault for this Rhône styled Barossa Valley red blend. The wine is deep and dark in colour with big, juicy aromas with a hint of vanilla and French oak. This juiciness is continued onto the palate with raspberries, dark stone fruit and some light tannins. The structure is super smooth leading to a long, elegant finish.

Château Clinet is a rising star in the small Right Bank region of Pomerol. With its gravely soil mixed with sand, Château Clinet has gradually increased the Merlot component of the wine to produce a voluptuous, smooth and yet still complex red wine that is both pleasing upon release and turns into a read star with a few years in the cellar.

This wine displays a sustained and brilliant colour of great depth. The nose has already evolved and shows blackcurrant and other black fruit aromas. On the palate tannins are soft and smooth, with a steady balance and a long, fresh finish. Aromas of fruit, tobacco and liquorice harmoniously blend with those from the oak, giving rise to flavours which coat the palate without roughness. Overall a tender wine which has passed through a spirited youth to reveal the elegance typical of Chantemerle's terroir.

The old school of the UK wine market have long loved the wines of Chateau Talbot, and the 2010 would have them purring. Chateau Talbot is a producer that occupies a large (102 hectares) swathe of land under vine in Medoc and makes wines that are set to a more traditional style, including rich wood scents, firm tannins, some rustic charm and a cassis-meets-violet fruit profile. This is a superb release of the wine, reminscent of classic Talbots that are sinewy when young, but still approachable, and for enthusiasts, glorious with cellar time.

While it is true that lovers of Pauillac wines can sometimes be divided over their love of the wines from Lynch-Bages, it will go without question that the wines produced from the magnificent 2009 vintage are sure to be coveted by all. Vintage conditions were simply perfect and have allow this Pauillac producer to embrace its love of plush, fruit forward wines and yet deliver a wine of immense power and structure.

Château Pontet-Canet is a classic large Pauillac property that adjoins the Mouton Rothschild vineyards that in the past has struggled to get fruit richness into their wines until Michel Rolland was called in. The wines of the past 15 years have produced lovely, voluptuous reds with ripe fruit and brilliant balance. The 2009 is quite simple a stunning incarnation of Pontet-Canet and quite possibly their best wine ever produced! A 'tour de force' of the highest standard, layers of concentrated fruit along with sublime oak integration see this biodynamically farmed vineyard reach Bordeaux perfection. Will age comfortably for the next 50 years.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild is widely considered one of the great Bordeaux estates, and certainly the upper echelon of the famed Medoc appellation. Owned by Baron Eric de Rothschild, the vineyards are located in the north of Pauillac near the boundary of St Estephe - while the site has allegedly been planted since the 14th century, the wines have been a staple only since the 17th century, and with increasing interest in the provenance more recently, following the Second World War. At 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot in 2010, this is a benchmark release that will be celebrated for generation. Increasing attention in cellar and vineyard has only enhanced the wines and their demand, due to continuing fine-tuning of quality.

Without a doubt one of Bordeaux's most famous vineyards, Cheval Blanc lies on the border of Pomerol and is also easily the most important estate in St-Émilion. Uniquely a blend dominated by Cabernet Franc, Cheval Blanc's wines have a powerful bouquet which is spicy and rich which is followed by fruit that is soft, mellow and liquorous. Matched only by Pétrus in the realm of vigour and concentration, Cheval's exuberance is not to be missed. With this latest release, the 2009, the wines are bordering on immortal. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, this super-smooth, velour textured and opulent red wine shows rambunctious flavours of raspberries, blueberries, liquorice and a smidge of menthol. Will be fascinating to watch this