An upswing in quality over the past decade or so, has resurrected Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte's position amongst Bordeaux Chateau. New ownership breathed life into exceptionally positioned vineyards, now farmed with less chemicals, with a more sympatico approach in winery. Famed winemaking consultant Michel Rolland is an additional feather in Smith-Haut-Lafitte's cap, enhancing the wines concentration, power and depth, while maintaining a finesse. Though full-bodied, the wine from 2010 will be approachable a little earlier than most other fine Bordeaux, with more moderate tannin - that being said, it's life will stretch several decades too.

An utterly transcendent and beautiful wine that defines Barolo, yet it comes without the prima-donna price tag. Tar, roasted chestnut, roses along with subtle oak and acidity structure and firm tannins on the palate. Pio Cesare had done a great job in this Ornato Barolo!

The guru of all cult winemakers in South Africa, Eben Sadie, brings meticulous care to his wines with old vines, low yields, old barrels and concrete fermenters. Columella was the first South African wine to score 95 points from Wine Spectator, and continually reaps praise from the critics for the depth and length of flavour in this imposing Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache blend.

Bindi's Block 5 vineyard is a prized piece of vineyard real estate. Nestled on a north facing, quartz riddled site in Macedon in Victoria, Block 5 is only one half of one hectare in size. This site produces a Pinot Noir that walks the fine line between extreme power and refine elegance with expert ease. Upon release the Block 5 shows more tannin and fruit weight than the fragrant Original vineyard and requires a little more ageing before truly hitting is inevitable and esteemed heights.

Deep in the heart of the Côtes de Nuits lies the appelltion of Vosne-Romanée, home of some of the worlds great Pinot Noirs. The Mongeard-Mugneret is one such example. Precision and poise with wild notes of plum, cherry and a earthen meat-driven undertones.

Castillo Ygay Tempranillo from the famed Rioja region in Spain was one of the stars of the show at the recent Dan Murphy's Wines of the World Expo! Complex roasted chestnut/mocha/dark berry/leather fruit with superb richness, underlying savoury nuances and ripe chocolaty tannins. Although matured for 31 months in American oak, the oak and fruit integration is sublime.

The Master pays homage to Wolf Blass's founder, Wolfgang Blass who was committed to creating outstanding wines of quality, character and consistency. This Cabernet Shiraz has complex layers of bramble berry fruits, warm spice and mocha on the nose with elegant mineral notes which combine with tightly-woven tannins and oak resulting in a wine of great personality.