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CHATEAU LILIAN LADOUYS Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, St-Estephe

Just when we thought 2019's multi-Gold The Artisan Coonawarra Cabernet was going above and beyond, the 2020 one-ups it with EIGHT Gold medals! It's from Allegiance Wines, an estate founded by Tim Cox whose love of wine and allegiance to the grape has seen him create a range of outstanding (and critically acclaimed) wines from premium regions around the country. Generous nose of blackcurrant, green capsicum, Kaffir lime and Thai curry spices. The powerful flavours direct you straight to Coonawarra: blackcurrant and cassis, with hints of menthol and cedar. Grippy tannins. Will age for at least 10 years. Scored 95pts from Wine Orbit and 96pts at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (along with a Great Gold). More Gold medals at the Melbourne International Wine Show and six other international wine competitions.

From a premium vineyard site in Coonawarra – 40-year-old vines. exceptional vintage, 18 months in French oak – this is a spectacular Limited Edition Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. It boasts a raft of high point scores, including a rare 97pt rating from the Halliday Wine Companion team who hail the wine’s special value even at its full price of $80 a bottle.

The Author pays homage to pioneering vigneron John Riddoch (1827 - 1901). A true visionary, Riddoch is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Australian wine. An influential figure, he established the Coonawarra fruit colony in 1890 and is synonymous with the region's story. The Author represents the finest expression of the vintage. Dark red in colour with a vibrant crimson hue, the wine shows ripe red berry fruit and plum flavours with hints of spice. Matured in new and seasoned French oak hogsheads, the seamlessly integrated oak intertwines with a core of intense dark fruit. Plush, velvety tannins lead to a long and persistent length of flavour. This has all the hallmarks of a classic Coonawarra Shiraz and will drink well now but will reward patient cellaring for 10 to 15 years.

The 2018 Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot-Cabernet Franc is a ripe complex wine, with intensity as well as strength and is a “true expression of the unique Whalebone Vineyard terroir”. Aromas are leafy and floral from the Cabernet Franc and rich plum pudding from the Merlot. The slight mint and fresh earth of the Whalebone terroir is melded with the cedar of the oak and the olive aroma of the tannin. The flavours reflect the aroma and the fruit is immediately sweet and ripe, graduating to a refined tannin and balanced acid finish.

A stylish blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a touch of Shiraz and Petit Verdot, from low yielding vineyards have produced another wine of elegance and class. Blackberry, mint and tobacco flavours are framed by fine tannin. The Shiraz adds some supple softness and the Petit Verdot adding aromatic lift. Another triumph!

Created in 1962, Penfolds Bin 128 is a regional wine that reflects the unique climate and growing conditions of South Australia's Coonawarra district and the relatively elegant style of cool climate Shiraz. From the 1980 vintage, French oak replaced American, highlighting the pepper, spice and floral characteristics that define this style. Since the mid-1980s, a greater attention has been paid to fruit ripeness, resulting in a wine that is fuller in style and structure.

Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon has a generous and beautifully structured palate, layered with dense fruits of the forest, ripe tannins and a persistent fruit finish. Taking all before it at the recent Dan Murphy's National Wine Show of Australia, this Xanadu Cabernet will be snapped up quickly!

The V&A Lane wines from Wynns pay tribute to the wonderful and unique vineyards that are located around V&A Lane in central Coonawarra. This is a wonderful release from Wynns' iconic winemaker, Sue Hodder. A burst of spicy dark fruit hits the nose with ripe cherries, plums and black fruits on the palate. The richness of the fruit is held in check by fine tannins and deft use of good oak. A brilliant wine for right now or many years in the cellar.