Nick O'Leary Seven Gates Tempranillo - Situated in the picturesque Hall Valley, in the Murrumbidgee River corridor, just outside the ACT, the Nick O'Leary estate incorporates a modern winemaking facility and a mature five hectare vineyard. Since their beginnings, well over a decade ago, their focus has always been to make hand worked Shiraz and Riesling wines that truly exhibit the character of the region as well as expressing Nick's unique personality and style.

Upon much deliberation, our overall masked winner revealed a style and character that provided us with a fairly clear cut insight into the modern day advances of a region etched in history and tradition. Cosme Palacio consistently produces one of our favourite Riojas that always offers incredible value for money. Produced predominantly from Tempranillo grown in cool, relatively high altitude sites, this is modern Rioja that's bright and ready to go thanks to a touch of bottle age. It's medium bodied with fine tannins and juicy in the mouth. Black fruits dominate the flavour profile with some delicate cedar and earthy notes adding complexity to a delicious example from this much loved region.

Lerida Estate Lake George Pinot Noir is 100% sourced from the estate vineyad at Lake George. Maturated in French oak for just under a year, this armoatic and perfumed Pinot shows cherry, red current, allspice, vanilla and gamey aromas. Once in the mouth, the wine displays luscious red fruits with a balanced savoury backbone with fine, integrated tannin.

The 2008 release of this took out the prestigious tri-nations award. The 2009 from a stronger vintage looks even better. A classicist?s Merlot; plum and cassis supported by fine tannin.

This exciting Spanish black grape shows hints of red spicy berries, liquorice, raspberries and cherry, with good fleshy finish.

Hungerford Hill Hilltops Cabernet is an extremely impressive modern style Cabernet that displays all the classic Cabernet characters of blueberry and blackcurrant along with a wonderful lifted palate texture that leaves you with sense of wanting more. The length of flavour is something to behold.

This Shiraz is a vibrant red in colour, on the nose are tones of black cherry and fresh spices with a hint of mocha. The palate is full-bodied and a traditional Mudgee style. Blackberry fruit evident on the nose carry through to the palate, interlayered with velvety tannins and a delicate spicy oak finish.

Sancho Garces pays homage to King Sancho Garcés III el Mayor, king of the Kingdom of Pamplona between 1004 and 1035, who promoted the pilgrimage route of the Camino of Santiago, or Way of St. James, and built hospitals and lodging. Sancho Garces presents aromas of fresh fruit and liquorice. Soft tannins, very well-balanced and easy-drinking.

A mouthwatering beauty from the RedHeads Crew, inspired b Spain, made right here in Australia. A blend of Tempranillo, Grenache and Graciano, it's a lusciously big glassful of dark cherry, plum and raspberry fruit with smoky, toasty oak notes. Layered and complex ... a mouthfiling treat!