As with its Caberent Sauvignon sibling the Coonawarra Series Shiraz is made in a ripe, generous style with classic spicy varietal characteristics and definitive structure. Showing great depth of flavour, the palate is host to notes of cherry, mulberry and hazelnut with an underlying cool, mineral line and fine oak tannin. Parker Estate is a wine that's very approachable in its youth but can also be cellared short to medium term.

Parker Estate Terra Rossa Shiraz is a little gem from Coonawarra. Generously rich with ripe dark forest berries complimented by mocha, cassis and a hints of spicy oak.

Bright plum in colour, Penfolds Bin 169 Cabernet Sauvignon displays delicate notes of mint and blackcurrant, with a more savory bouquet of semi-dried tomatoes and fruit chutney at the end. A hint of oak and spice adds extra warmth. On the palate a flavour-wheel of spearmint, milo powder, chocolate and black liquorice.

A medium bodied wine generously flavoured with chocolate and dark berry fruit flavours. A perfect accompaniment of everything from pizza to aged cheddar and the winemaker's choice, pecorino.

Penola is one of the original producers in Coonawarra and they have a long and healthy track record with their Cabernet. This wine is elegant and well balanced with loads of dark fruits, a decent dollop of spicy oak and impressive length and character. It is medium bodied and finishes with nice some tannic grip. This is a Coonawarra Cabernet that will save on the purse strings and amaze the senses. Pairs up perfectly with a rich beef dish.

Sisters Run is an independently owned and operated winery with a fierce commitment to make the best wines from family vineyards. The label pays reference to talented young winemaker Elena Brooks who wears steel cap boots in the day but carries a pair of high heels in the back of the ute, just in case of emergencies. This big Coonawarra red is just about perfect to drink now. Its blackcurrant flavours will shine with roast lamb and rosemary potatoes or a duck ragu with creamy wild mushroom sauce.

A pioneer of the Australian wine industry, Jim Barry was responsible for shaping South Australia's Clare Valley as a benchmark producer of world-class shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. Today, two generations of the Barry family ensure his legacy grows and continues on, constantly innovating and producing high-quality wines. Bright currant and dark cherry fruit is flanked by fine, savoury tannin, giving the palate both intensity and directive structure. Layers of sweet fruit and savoury notes combine to give a wine of complexity and seamless balance. A persistent finish displaying distinctive Coonawarra cassis fruit and mouth-coating, chalky tannins.

A recent addition to the Petaluma stable, the Petaluma of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon is a great example of modern Australian winemaking when let to mingle with traditional wine estate and aged vineyards. Notes of dark chocolate, mocha, espresso and forest floor sit alongside bold blackcurrant fruit and cedar nuances. The finish is long and sustained.

Wynns Shiraz continues to be one of Australia's affordable favourites. Tucked away in the cellar of many budding wine collectors, Wynns Shiraz has all the structure and pedigree of some of its higher priced brothers and sisters. Rich varietal characters of plum, spice and pepper are woven through the minty regional notes and framed by fine, firm tannins.

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.