This sterling-value red fizz has really grown up, with a more-ish premium mouthful of sun-ripened vibrant blackberries now tuned with liquorice and white pepper notes. Ravishing!

While normally associated with Grenache and Shiraz blends, Mourvèdre recently has begun to stand on its own two feet as a stand-alone wine. Quite evocative in nature, Chapel Hill's Mourvèdre is a dark and brooding red with wonderful hints of spice and violet tones. Walking the line between medium and full-bodied, this wouldn't be out of place next to either a thick cut steak or a plate of picked Mediterranean vegetables.

Chapel Hill's Cabernet Sauvignon is a superb McLaren Vale wine which rivals others well beyond its price range. Generous blackcurrant, dark cherries, cedar and spice mixed in with fine, firm tannins. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to improve with a few years in the cellar.

Mrs Wigley was not the wife of Wirra Wirra founder, Robert Strangways Wigley, but in fact a neighbouring cat that took up residence in the winery open top fermenters. The rosé show aromas of fresh strawberry and cherry and a crisp palate of light spice and a lingering dry finish.

Geoff Merrill's winery in the Mt Hurtle south of Adelaide has been making wines that express variety, vintage and terroir with as little intervention from the winemaker as possible. Full bodied with good tanins and intense fruit and spice characters, the elegance and harmony of this Cabernet Sauvignon are allowed to shine.

Utilising the winemaking talents of Larry Cherubino and over 40 years of winemaking experience himself, Robert Oatley lends his name to this McLaren Vale Shiraz that has all the hallmarks of an exceptional regional example. Matured for 10 months in French oak and sourced from fruit from around the sub-region of Blewitt Springs, this Shiraz is opulent, fleshy and textured with flavours of blueberries and spice with a lingering, soft finish.

Ben Riggs has hand-crafted a delicious Shiraz Cabernet Merlot blend here that pays homage to the three-spiked prickle that can be found in the McLaren Vale region and the fact that it's hard to ignore. This unctuous red blend is also extremely hard to ignore with its seamless varietal integration that produces a wine full of richness and opulence. Ripe, dark berry fruits courtesy of Merlot along with spice elements from the Shiraz and a firm, but balanced structure from the Cabernet all come together superbly.

Church Block first appeared back in 1972 under the watchful eye of Greg Trott and was taken by one of the original vineyards that ran alongside the small Bethany Church, across the road from Wirra Wirra's old ironstone cellars. Over the last 4 decades, it has become one of Australia's favourites. The 2005 Church Block is showing just what a little patience can do. After six years, the velvet texture is the dominant feature with integrated tannin taking a backseat.

With its boisterous berry flavours and hallmark tannin structure, this wine hailed us down like a vocal New Yorker at rush hour. We fastidiously selected each barrel for this wine whereby it affectionately became known as the '1st off the rank'. With the lovely palate length and balance that make Cabernet Sauvignon 'king', it is full-bodied yet is no West Coast wanna-be. Made from fastidiously selected barrels, we are quietly confident that it will be the first wine you'll want to jump into at any lineup. Rich plum and blackcurrant flavours swerve into savoury liquorice and cedar notes, followed by a friendly toot of thyme .

The 2018 d’Arenberg The Galvo Garage Cabernet Merlot Cab Franc from McLaren Vale is a true gem from one of South Australia’s most esteemed wineries. With a deep ruby colour and a rich, complex bouquet of dark berries, vanilla, and cedar, this wine is a feast for the senses. On the palate, flavours of blackcurrant, plum, and spice are balanced by smooth tannins and a hint of oak. The addition of Cabernet Franc adds a touch of elegance and depth to the blend. This vintage is drinking beautifully now but also has the potential for further ageing. Pair it with a hearty beef dish or enjoy on its own to fully appreciate its full-bodied and velvety smooth texture. A true masterpiece from d’Arenberg, this wine is a must-try for any serious wine lover.