Medium purple hue. Ripe blackberry & black cherry with hints of fresh tobacco. Upfront, it is all juicy and dark fruited - ripe plum, tangy blueberry with a touch of ribena sweetness - but to follow, a hint of smoky cured meatiness and fine chalky tannin serve to make the finish savoury yet muy refrescante. Fermented in open stainless steel vats on skins for 14 days. Gentle pressing off skins via airbag press. The brainchild of Guy Anderson and Thierry Boudinaud, Fat Bastard Wines came into being via an exclamation, "Now that is what you call a Fat Bastard!" The comment came in response to a barrel of experimental Chardonnay that Thierry had left on lees for an extended maturation. Both Guy and Thierry felt that the wines had to be shared with the world, and so Fat Bastard Wines was born. Now, the pair work with wineries and vineyards from all over the world, sourcing fruit and juice from a myriad different regions and countries. But one factor remains the same: they make unapologetically full-bodied wines, packed with flavour and vibrancy.

Tintara from South Australia's McLaren Vale represents both history and innovation in McLaren Vale. With a heritage that dates back to 1861 and with a vision to produce contemporary wines, the result are red wines like this Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon. Full of life and vigour with the typical regional chocolate and mocha characters, this McLaren Vale Cab is a perfect little cellar starter or great paired with lamb shanks.

Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon is the beacon of quality that all Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is compared to. Coming off the iconic red soils of Coonawarra, Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon is classic elegance. Chief winemaker, Sue Hodder, is able to craft a wine brimming with aromas of blackcurrant and plum that combine with spicy minty notes. The palate is well structured, long and fine. With the right cellaring condition, this could easily be a cellar gem.

Some great Barossa Cabernets have come out of the Saltram winery over the years and this multi award winning wine continues in that tradition. Enjoy the Peperjack Cabernet Sauvignon's rich berry fruit and chocolately regional character.

This Clare Valley Cabernet from Taylors shows ample varietal blackcurrant flavour seasoned with some attractive sweet oak. The tannins are firm but nicely in balance.

A relatively new addition to the Taylors range, the Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon is part of a range that includes some of the best in the Taylors lineup of fine wines. Elegant with intense fruit flavours of cherry and cassis along with hints of mint, cedar and spice.

A relatively new addition to the Wynns stable to compliment the Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz Merlot and the Coonawarra Shiraz, The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon brings lovely varietal and regional character in a Cabernet that is approachable on release, but also benefits from a few years in the medium term cellar. According to chief winemaker, Sue Hodder, The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon aims to deliver a leading affordable Cabernet that showcases exceptional varietal and region characteristics of red cherry, mint and dark berry flavours, while an array of gentle tannins will further reward from short to medium term cellaring.

Wynns 'Red Stripe' Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot continues to be a market leader and beacon for quality wine at an affordable price. Cabernet brings cassis and mint, while spice and plummy fruit is provided by the Shiraz and Merlot. Drink now or cellar for a year or two.

Aromas of violets, spice, ripe blueberries and boysenberry, with hints of mocha oak. The palate shows fresh fruits of red cherry, fresh cranberries with savoury chalky tannins which give length and finesse.

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.