Ripe and generous, the leafy, minty characters of Cabernet are complemented by the softness and plummy fruit coming from the Merlot. A nice touch of sweet oak completes the picture.

This De Bortoli Cabernet Merlot blend combines rich, dark berry from the Cabernet's flavour with soft, plumy Merlot. An ideal accompaniment to pasta, veal or pork.

Houghton CW Ferguson Cabernet Malbec is a tribute to Charles William Ferguson. A pioneer of the Swan Valley region, Charles Ferguson was committed to developing the area along with the reputation of Houghton's. This Cabernet Malbec is the first release and is accumulating a list of gold medals the envy of most, including the Regional Trophy for best Australian red blend over £10 at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2011.

From a 37-acre vineyard, Château Pavie Macquin is stunningly situated on the clay-limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion on the right bank of Bordeaux. 2010 has produced a formidable wine: a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a top release of the harvest year and a highlight from St-Émillion in 2010. Tannins, restraint and inward concentration are motifs, this is a wine for the patient, sophisticated collector who wishes to embellish a cellar with pedigree wines that need time and maturity to come to the fore.

McGuigan provides a luscious and smooth drinking Cabernet Merlot here with nice concentration from the Cabernet Sauvignon balanced well with smooth, silky Merlot. Plums and blackcurrants cover the palate complimented by a silky finish.

This wine is classic Coonawarra in style with ripe berry and cassis aromas and flavours layered over fine tannins. Cabernet is the major component and backbone with Merlot adding softness and drinkability.

Wynns 'Red Stripe' Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot continues to be a market leader and beacon for quality wine at an affordable price. Cabernet brings cassis and mint, while spice and plummy fruit is provided by the Shiraz and Merlot. Drink now or cellar for a year or two.

The ability to source fruit away from their home base in the Hunter is paying dividends for Brokenwood. This Cricket Pitch is a ripe, fully flavoured red blend - this is the ideal BBQ companion.

Always regarded as one of Margaret River's favourite wineries due to the inherant quality. Forester Estate seems to marry beautifully with their value-for-money philosophy. This Cabernet Merlot continues to win wide acclaim due to its dark purple colour and its lifted aromas of raspberries and black forest cake. Rich berry flavours are well balanced by a tight tannin structure typical of quality Margaret River Cabernets. The other great bonus is the ability of this great Cab blend to morph into a true cellar star.

This WA winery continues to impress with its well-crafted value for money wines. This Cabernet blend has ripe berry fruit characters enhanced by toasty oak and balanced with fine-grained tannins.