Punnets of strawberry, blackberry and raspberry flavour are miraculously shoehorned into a standard size bottle, while ageing in American oak adds a spicy, toasty finishing touch. 'Big Mac' McPherson grew up in the world of wine, tutored by his father Jock, who had established a winery in the Hunter Valley. Andrew went on to set up wineries at home and abroad and work for some Australia's top names. These days he crafts characterful wines by himself at great value prices. The Full Fifteen is perfect with roast beef or lamb and a wonderful companion to barbecues.

Red Hill is one of the Victoria's most consistent Pinot producers. This cool climate Pinot Noir shows the familiar perfume and elegance with flavours of liqueur cherries, spice and silky tannins.

Cat Amongst The Pigeons has been ruffling a few feathers in recent years with its value-for-money full-bodied Barossa Shiraz which continues to delivery on quality and price. Their Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon is a worthy stable-mate with fruit sourced from low-yielding vineyards planted on the western slopes of the Barossa Valley; between Lyndoch and Greenock. Dark berry fruits abound with a rich, spicy fruit character. You can certainly enjoy now, but this cat will further develop with some medium-term cellaring.

The Burge family are Barossa royalty with a history that dates back to 1885 when Grant Burge's Great Great Grandfather, John Burge, immigrated to Australia. Being the 5th Generation Burge, this wine pays tribute to the great impact the Burge family continues to have over the great regions history. The Cabernet Merlot is a wonderfully lush and vibrant wine with typical Barossa notes of vanilla and blueberry all kept in wonderful balance with judicious use of oak.

This supple, elegant and beautifully aromatic wine shows classic blackcurrant and cedar characters, supported by the gentle oak maturation that is so distinctively Penfolds.

McGuigan provides a luscious and smooth drinking Cabernet Merlot here with nice concentration from the Cabernet Sauvignon balanced well with smooth, silky Merlot. Plums and blackcurrants cover the palate complimented by a silky finish.

Varietal aromas of mint and cassis are well matched with subtle vanillin oak on the nose. The palate is supple and smooth the blackcurrant flavours framed by fine ripe tannins. Try it with roast lamb.

Your quest for the best sub-$20 Merlot is over. One of McLaren Vale's most explosive producers of the past 10-15 years is offered here on an silver platter. Everything you love about Merlot in one bottle; luscious black fruits with soft cuddly tannins and hints of spiced coffee.

The Smith & Hooper Cabernet Merlot is a harmonious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot displaying aromas of red berries, eucalypt and a hint of vanilla. Flavours of mulberries, cherry and blackcurrants fill out the smoothly textured palate.

The ability to source fruit away from their home base in the Hunter is paying dividends for Brokenwood. This Cricket Pitch is a ripe, fully flavoured red blend - this is the ideal BBQ companion.