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.

Château Rauzan-Ségla has a long history, with the first vines planted on the property in 1661. However, the official birth date of the château is considered to be 1763, when it separated from Rauzan-Gassies. The estate was gradually divided through the generations of the Rauzan family, but it gained a reputation and was classified as a Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855 alongside Château Mouton Rothschild. While the wines of the late 19th century became legendary, subsequent success was hindered by several obstacles, including a decline in vineyard area and outdated equipment. The estate was later acquired by the Wertheimer family, who continued to improve the vineyards and facilities, consolidating the Grand Vin as a super-second. Château Rauzan-Ségla has 70 hectares of vineyards, planted with the four Bordeaux grape varieties. The Grand Vin of Château Rauzan-Ségla is made with great care, using grapes from the main vineyards where the old Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines grow in well-cultivated soils. Small vats are used to create different batches that correspond to specific plots. Segla, the second wine of the estate, was created in 1989 and is produced using grapes from the vineyards surrounding the historic centre of Château Rauzan-Ségla. The wine is made with the same care and attention as the Grand Vin but is aged with less new oak and is typically less Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant. Segla is a renowned wine produced by Château Rauzan-Ségla, made from a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 53% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. The wine undergoes an 18-month aging process in barrels, with 20% of new oak used in the process. The 2018 vintage of Segla is structured with a full body and firm, chewy tannins that are polished and focused. It has a tight hazelnut finish and is recommended for drinking in 2024. James Suckling gave it a rating of 93 points.

Château Duhart-Milon is a fourth growth (Quatrième Cru Classé) estate in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux. Part of the Domaines Barons de Rothschild, the wine is made by the same winemaking team as Château Lafite. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with a substantial component of Merlot, the Grand Vin is matured for 18 months in approximately 50% new French oak barriques. Château Duhart-Milon is typically a sturdy solid Pauillac with firm structure and earthy savoury richness.

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.

With its name enclosed in a heart on the label, Chateau Calon-Ségur is a third-growth estate (3ème Cru Classé) in Saint-Estèphe. Firm and sturdy in style, Chateau Calon-Ségur is somewhat austere in its youth, possessing a prominent tannin structure that rewards extended cellaring over 10 to 20 years.

Dating back over 800 years in the Bordeaux region, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is owned today by Daniel and Florence Cathiard. The estate also features a world class spa, which specialises in Vinotherapie - using grape extracts in many of their treatments. Up until the year 2000, the estate was not known for producing top quality wines, however in the capable hands of the Cathiard family and after over a decade of hard work and reinvention, the wines truly began to come into their own. It has been, in the words of Andrew Caillard, an astonishing ascendancy in the past 15 years, and given the sterling reviews the 2016 vintage has received, its trajectory seems set to continue its meteoric rise.