Cos d'Estournel remains today one of the true icons of Bordeaux, and the trademark of Saint Estèphe. With it's pagoda like house (as it's one of the rare Bordeaux's without a Château) it is a must visit for all travelling along the route des châteaux. Always of great reputation, the wines soared in esteem throughout the tenure of Bruno Prats through 1971 to 1998 and continue to this day with their Cabernet Sauvignon based wines of extreme purity and elegance. The 2009 vintage will be highly sought after with the conditions in the left bank region at their very best. Showing a more riper, plump fruit nature than the usual masculine, long-lived trademark, this years Cos will be quick out the door.

Château La Fleur Pétrus is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant red blend. Vintage 2010 has the great balance between the intensity of the fruits, acidity and oak flavour. Ripe black fruits and jammy cherries with a hint of meaty back tone. Full body with pronounced tannins, elegantly put together. Perfect for those who love to cellar their reds.

Chateau Canon shows no shy and retiring character in 2010, set to a naturally ripe and high 15% alcohol. Though power and density is a motif in 2010, there is a surprising suppleness in this wine, born from central St-Emillion vineyards and the same family of wine as Chateau Rauzan-Segla of Margaux. Almost evenly split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc usually, it''s three quarters Merlot in 2010; the wine matures in oak barrel for 18 months, with around 70% of those offering new wood character. While dense and compact, there is a succulence to the wine that suggests cellaring to two decades would be apt.

Penfolds Bin 389 is the classic South Australian red! Often referred to as 'Baby Grange' or 'Poor Man's Grange', Bin 389 was the wine that helped to build Penfolds' solid reputation with wine drinkers around the world. A magnificent blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from the very best regions and vineyards available to Peter Gago and his team, the robust nature of the Cabernet grape give structure and body to the wine while the opulent Shiraz fruit provides suppleness and intensity. A true icon of Australian wine first created by the legend himself, Max Schubert, Peter Gago is quoted as saying 'Through thick and thin, across all vintages, Bin 389 always delivers - benefitting from over half a century of practice!

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is dubbed the 'Baby Grange' for good reason, in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. The near perfect conditions of 2022 allowed even flowering and fruit-set, leading to uniform veraison for robust grape flavours, tannins, and colour. The wine boasts volumes of Cabernet character, showcasing cool fruits that are well lifted and vibrant. The 2022 is comprised of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Shiraz and is aged for 12 months in American oak hogsheads 36% of which was new. This bottle comes gift boxed. Bin 389 was first made in 1960 by the legendary Max Schubert and helped forge Penfolds reputation with red wine drinkers by combining the structure of cabernet sauvignon with the richness of shiraz. The judicious balance of fruit and oak in this wine exemplifies the generous mid-palate that Penfolds is known for. The use of high-quality fruit and the winery's attention to detail in the winemaking process have resulted in a wine that is both rich and complex. Bin 389 is a testament to Penfolds' commitment to creating wines that are both elegant and bold. Maker: Penfolds has been a pioneer in the world of winemaking since its establishment in 1844 by Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold. The company's success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers who have pushed the development of the company to extraordinary, bold new heights. Mary Penfold's reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour, experimenting with new methods in wine production. In 1948, Max Schubert became the company's first Chief Winemaker and he propelled Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation of long-lasting wines - the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s. Soon, the medals began flowing, and Grange quickly became one of the most revered wines around the world. In 2012, Penfolds released its most innovative project to date - 12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Penfolds continues to hold dear the philosophies and legends that have driven the company's success since its establishment in 1844. Vineyards: In the 2022 season, McLaren Vale temperatures rarely soared above 35°C – significantly lower than in the previous vintage. This coolness contributed to a delayed but unhurried harvest, allowing Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon fruit to be picked at an ideal time for quality. Coonawarra experienced its own cold spells with nine days dipping below 2°C during spring. The lowest point was recorded early in September at -0.3°C. Frost fans played a critical role in protecting the vines from damage. Warmer weather returning late November to December provided perfect conditions for flowering and fruit-set, leading to uniform veraison with robust grape flavours, tannins, and colour. The Barossa Valley told a story of resilience under cool conditions with spring storms bringing winds and heavy rains including hail; nevertheless, yields exceeded early predictions. A dry but cool December extended the fruit-set period; however, this did not hinder sugar accumulation or phenolic maturity thanks to healthy canopies that retained acid well into the growing season. Nose - Bay Leaf, Blackcurrant, Ripe Plums Bay, blackcurrant, vanilla, licorice and sweet, plump plums create a deep, rich impression. Palate - Chocolaty, Plums, Licorice Volumes of Cabernet character, showcasing lifted and vibrant cool fruits. Rustic sourdough notes complement the lush plum fruits, blackberry, mulberry and distinctly tart morello cherries. Finish - Coffee Grounds, Cocoa, Crushed Herbs On the finish a hint of coffee grounds, cocoa brings a lifted spark with an added hint of crushed herbs 2022 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz lives up to its reputation as the second wine to Grange. The wine is superbly refined, generous and chocolaty and will cellar for years to come. In may respects it is the quintessential Penfolds wine offering drinkers the best of craftsmanship, multi-regional sourcing and style. - Andrew Caillard MW, 98 Points. We have seen Bin 389 shine brightly in fab years, but it is in years like 2022 when the weather Gods run amok and are unpredictable, that Bin 389 is tested. It comes through, as ever, comfortably, assuredly, warmly, like settling back into an old comfy leather chair. Evocative aromas of earth, old leather, woodsy spices galore, black fruits and signature American oak pencil shavings, cigar box, the oak being a little more evident than usual. Mellow, full flavoured, Bin 389 ’22 returns to that kind of down-home or unpretentious character that we love; it has nothing to prove, everything to gain as it impresses with the essence of South Australian Cabernet (51%) and Shiraz (49%) from five regions lead by McLaren Vale, Coonawarra and the Barossa Valley. Defined by a density of black fruits, liquorice, spice, underlined by fine, confident oak tannins and supported by bright acidity. A kiss of coffee grounds, cocoa brings a lifted spark with an added hint of crushed herbs. Another strong Bin 389, classic in definition and execution. - Jeni Port, Wine Pilot, 95 Points. This is a commanding Bin 389. It’s svelte and smooth but the penetration of the finish, meshed with tannin as it is, is right up there. Bay, blackcurrant, vanilla, licorice and sweet, plump plums create a deep, rich impression, though it all comes with sinew and it all comes with bone. It’s a familiar flavour profile but this 2022 release is really well formed, and executed. There’s flavour, there’s flex, there’s class. - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 Points.

Proudly, a wine style that hasn’t succumbed to the dictates of fashion or commerce. St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters as it ages. It is matured in old, 1,460 litre vats that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character. Although a small proportion of Cabernet is sometimes used to improve structure, the focal point for St Henri remains Shiraz.

Wendouree has achieved cult status with its tiny production from ancient vines. Luscious dark berry Shiraz fruits and some meaty characters run through the full-bodied palate with ripe tannins.

Rockford Basket Press Shiraz has garnered a unique and cult following over its lifetime. With its 'old school' brown glass bottle and traditional label, Rockford Basket Press is one for the traditionalists. Big, bold and upfront fruit with all the lashings of chocolate, coffee bean and Christmas cake all have come to adore.