Chiles answer to first growth Bordeaux, Viña Seña is one of the countrys most sought after wines. In his reviews and commentary on the wine, James Suckling has played a significant role in highlighting Viña Señas credentials as world-class. While comparisons to Mouton Rothschild or Harlan can and have (again, Suckling) been made, one of the more interesting features of this wine is how well it drinks when young. For a Cabernet-based blend in this class, Viña Seña leaps out of the gate showing cassis and fresh blueberries. This is altogether very gratifying but theres so much more in store. The length, depth and breadth make this a great working example of what we mean when we talk about three-dimensionality. High-wire act acidity and strong-man fruit, this circus of sensory pleasure is even more appealing considering that for the price of one Bordeaux first growth, youll have six of these. Hedonists take note.

Product Information: Created in 1989, Ségla is made from vines located on the patchwork of terroirs encompassing the historic centre of Château Rauzan-Ségla. It takes its name from Baron Pierre-Louis de Ségla whose marriage with Catherine de Rauzan gave the full name of the property in 1785. The tower represented on its label was erected in 1905, this depicts the entrance of the property and that offers a spectacular view over the vineyards on one side and the park of the chateau on the other. Worked by the same team and according to the same requirements as the Grand Cru Classé, it is an initiation to the sophistication and the philosophy of the estate: a delicate, tasty and expressive style which elegantly imprints the distinction of the great terroirs of the Margaux appellation. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 53% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1 % Cabernet Franc. 18 months in barrel, 20% new oak. Maker: The first vines were planted on the property in 1661, but the official birthdate of Chateau Rauzan-Segla is 1763, when it split from the neighbouring Rauzan-Gassies. The estate was gradually partitioned through successive generations of the Rauzan family, but its reputation grew, and come its classification in 1855, it shared the Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe stage with the likes of Chateau Mouton Rothschild (which was promoted 118 years later). Its late 19th century wines have become legendary. However, any subsequent success was met with obstacles – a decline in area under vine, obsolete cellar equipment and a proprietor who prioritised quantity over quality, to name but a few – and soon Rauzan Segla was overtaken by other second growth chateaux. Expansion of the vineyard and modernisation of equipment didn't occur until the estate was acquired by negociant Echenhauer. Under his ownership, a renovation program was initiated, which involved replacing old, unproductive vines and installing modern stainless steel tanks. Subsequent owners have continued improvements, helping to consolidate the Grand Vin as a true super-second, and in 1994 the property was taken over by the Alain and Gerard Wertheimers, grandsons of Chanel founder Pierre Wertheimer, giving the estate an injection of luxury. Vineyard: Rauzan-Ségla’s 70 hectares of vineyards are planted with the four Bordeaux grape varieties. They cover the array of geologies and soils found in the Margaux appellation and proudly reflect this diversity. Château Rauzan-Ségla’s grand vin is crafted with meticulous care and its grapes sourced from the main vineyards where the finest and, in particular, the old Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines grow in perfectly worked soils. When the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot are included in the blend, they add yet another layer of complexity to the wine. The use of small vats enables Rauzan Segla to create a number of batches corresponding to the increasingly carefully-demarcated plots. Nose - Tobacco, Truffle, Red and Dark Fruits There hints of tobacco leaf, truffle, herbs and flowers poke through the ripe, red and dark red fruits. Palate - Concentrated, Silky, Generous The wine is concentrated, silky, uplifting and generous, as well as long, fresh and pure. Finish - Fresh, Pure, Controlled Controlled power, structured, with fine tannins. Tasted blind. Rich and rather opulent nose. Simple and easy with good refreshing raciness. Could be Rauzan-Ségla? Good and complete. Really zesty. Likely to be VGV - Vin de Garde de Viticulture" or Wine for Aging from Viticulture which refers to wines that are produced with the intention of aging. - Jancis Robinson. Still young, but you can find hints of tobacco leaf, truffle, herbs and flowers poke through the ripe, red and dark red fruits. The wine is concentrated, silky, uplifting and generous, as well as long, fresh and pure. This wine will need 12-15 years before it really starts opening and showing its true essence. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider, 97 Points.

TE MATA ESTATE Coleraine. Cepage may include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

This tiny vineyard of century old vines produces a wine of formidable structure with an intense Cabernet style of mixed fruits and berries.

Chateau Montrose is a second Grand Cru Classé estate in St-Estephe and is considered one of the leading wine properties of the appellation. Located in the eastern half of the appellation just 800 metres from the Gironde estuary, the propertys proximity to the water provides a unique micro-climate that protects the vines from frost. The Grand Vin is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, that appears very powerful and austere in its youth, with a backbone of firm tannins that provides exceptional longevity.

Château Pavie Decesse is a St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé property in the Côtes sub-district, considered the equal of its illustrious neighbour, Chateau Pavie. The origins of both can be traced back to ancient Roman times. The 3.5ha vineyard, on chalky, limestone and clay soils and contiguous with Pavie, is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Following cold maceration, the Chateau wine is vinified in temperature-controlled oak vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels. The wine is aged in 80% new oak for between 18 and 24 months, depending on vintage character. Production is small, around 650 dozen each year. The hedonistic Pavie Decesse style combines opulent, rich, sensuous textures with minerality, freshness and concentration. Due to its lush style Pavie Decesse drinks well young, yet does develop additional complexity with time in the cellar. Wine quality has been consistently excellent under the ownership, since 1997, of Gerard and Chantal Perse.

With one of the longest and most pedigreed histories in the Medoc region, Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases has passed through the hands of some of Frances most notable and wealthiest noble families, culminating in the Las Cases family - the final royal family to hold title to the Chateau. Up until the French Revolution, after which large portions of it were sold off, it was one of the largest vineyards in Bordeaux. Today, the estate remains family owned by the Delons, of which brother Jean Hubert and sister Genevieve manage proceedings. Famed for producing a wine of structure, power, and traditional style, the 2016 vintage has earned outstandingly high praise, including a score of 100 from Andrew Caillared and a 19/20 from Jancis Robinson who praised its extraordinary vitality and energy and proclaimed it glorious to taste now.

The nose is intense and multi-faceted. Notes of blackcurrant and cedar are interwoven into a sophisticated expression that constantly intrigues. Harmony and balance are immediately apparent in this elegant, medium to full-bodied wine. The palate is assertive yet refined, with concentrated flavours of blackcurrant, berry and olive supported by subtle cedar spice from the oak. This is a premium Cabernet Sauvignon reflecting the unique terroir and pristine environment of the Coonawarra.