Black cherry, raspberry, honey nougat, liquorice, and a hint of orange peel on the nose

Often described as a Baby Châteauneuf du Pape, this wine is rich, complex,yet approachable. We find red and dark fruits,cherries, spices and licorice on the nose and palate.

This irresistible black beauty is made from fabulously intense Shiraz and Grenache grapes grown on the craggy hillsides of France's Roussillon region. Look up from the vines and you will see ruins of castles perching precariously on rocky peaks. This inhospitable landscape and these ancient strongholds were home to medieval Cathars who lived in awe of evil god Rex Mundi ('King of the World'). He corrupted the faithful with promises of earthly pleasures and the forbidden delights of mortal flesh. Don't even try to resist, just sip and enjoy this lusciously ripe, juicy marriage of liquorice scented Shiraz and lush, silken Grenache. Gloriously easy to quaff on its own, it also goes well with barbecued meats, Cajun chicken or lamb chops.

We have offered this exemplary wine for over two decades and the multitude of awards over the years – and the 5-Star reviews – speak volumes. It is our bestselling sparkler by a mile. Roche Lacour winemaker Viviane Gianesini works her magic beneath the cool hills of Limoux. Here, the monks of Saint Hilaire are said to have mastered sparkling wine methods in 1531, centuries ahead of Dom Pérignon. Bottles back then were fragile and didn’t travel, so their success remained a secret. The cuvée is rich in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – like Champagne – and nearly half the wine is oak fermented – just like Krug! It’s an expensive technique (so rarely practised) yet important for depth and complexity. Enjoy on its own or with deserving canapés.

As close as you get to genuine Châteauneuf power – and with a Gold medal pedigree too, winning Gold for the last eight vintages. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre are the three mainstays of this champion that boasts layers of velvety ripe black fruit, liquorice and spicy complexity. It's from the only co-operative cellar in Châteauneuf du Pape, the top appellation of the southern Rhône, and is owned and run by local growers. The grapes are from vineyards that abut the famous name appellation and share the same stone strewn soil that promotes superb ripeness and richness of fruit. The vines are old and gnarled, producing few grapes but with rare concentration of flavour. It's made by Châteauneuf winemaker Thierry Ferlay ... and it's very, very good!

Glittering with plum and red berry fruit, a lovely splash of exotic spice, deliciously soft and smooth tannins ... this is like being given a big, comforting hug from someone you love. Beautiful stuff!

Showing ripe cherry and raspberry aromas following on to fruitcake and blackberry flavours, with well integrated oak and a long velvety finish. An Aussie through and through – try it with barbecued kangaroo!