Houghton Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stripe series of wines has loads of cassis and dark plum flavours that are perfectly balanced with hints of cigar box, soft tannins and a touch of oak. A true WA Cabernet for a fantastic price!

The 2010 Chateau d'Issan is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, showing 'classic Margaux' in its perfume, finesse and apparent elegance. Soils are gravel and clay, which contributes to the high-tones of perfume from the wine, and though an estate that is neccesarily clawing its way back to a higher profile, is doing so with deeds in bottle over showmanship. On its side, the vineyard is dense with older vines that naturally offer lower yields, allowing for a higher quality of fruit for the winemaking team, in turn producing a wine of stellar quality from 2010.

Wendouree Shiraz Mataro is deep in colour, has blackberry and liquorice core and hugely famous tannins. The wines from Wendouree are honourable wines - highlighting the connectivity of winemaker, traditional wine-making practices, regional characteristics and vineyard personality.

In the 1950s, the father of current winemaker Paolo di Marchi purchased the adjoining hamlets of Isole and Olena and their estates in the Tuscan commune of Barberino Val d'Elsa. The concept and style of Cepparello was developed by Paolo De Marchi over a period beginning in the mid 1970's. This Sangiovese wine is named after a small stream, Borro Cepparello, originating in the highest point of the vineyards on the Isole e Olena estate.

On the palate it is very vigorous, rich in extracts, with lively and pleasant tannins that are rounded through a skilful use of wood. A powerful, tantalizing wine with a great ageing potential.

Château Lascombes was a small property by Bordeaux standards up until 1951, which then grew to beyond its means until the most recent ownership change which has seen better fruit selection and a creation of a second label to produce an estate wine of purity and concentrated flavours. Using the talents of Dr Alain Reynaud and Michel Rolland the wines continue to impress in recent years, namely this spectacular 2009 vintage which is proving to be one of the greatest vintages in the past 100. Even at this early stage the Lascombes looks superb with balance between power and opulence treading a near perfect line.

Château Suduiraut is ranked a Premier Cru Classé (First Growth) in the original Bordeuax Classification of 1855. Situated in the famous Sauternes appellation the estate produces exceptional sweet whites simply overflowing with concentration and power, wines that rival their illustrious neighbor Château d'Yquem. The 1970 vintage contains a firm texture backed by excellent acidity. The finish is clean and fresh with its tang enhancing the flavours of a wine now at its peak.

A famous 5th growth Bordeaux from the classic appellation of Pauillac that has undergone many name changes over its life. Starting life as Mouton d'Armailhac before changing in 1956 to Mouton Baron Philippe which changed to Baronne to commemorate the Baron's second wife. In 1991, the Baron's daughter decided to give the Château an original name to separate it from the other Mouton's and Château d'Armailhac was born. Situated across the road from the famous Mouton, the estate is run separately, but with equal care. Wines of great concentration and intensity are produced, as one would expect from such pedigree. The 2009 is the perfect example of this with a wine of fantastic intensity and concentration. One of the finest d'Armailhac's is living memory, swathes of blueberry, roasted meats and espresso coffee characters are present early and will only further develop with careful ageing over the next 20 years.

Cape Mentelle's Cabernet Sauvignon under the guidance of Rob Mann has become one of Australia's most prestigious Cabernet's. Sourced from what many believe to be the true home to Cabernet in Australia, the Margaret River, Cape Mentelle produce a wine that has a plush full-flavoured palate of concentrated blackcurrants and mulberries with a minerally spine. Richly textured and vibrant the palate finishes long with fine yet firm gravelly tannins. A superb candidate for some medium to long term cellaring.

Coonawarra is regarded as Australia's premier region for Cabernet Sauvignon. The Reschke properties are located on the famous strip of 'terra rossa' soil in Coonawarra and has been owned by the family for almost 100 years. The fruit selected for Empyrean is the best on their 10.8 acre site and is only made in exceptional years.