Two words come to mind when you mention great Australian Merlot. Jim Irivne. Jim's Grand Merlot is the benchmark of complex and elegant Merlot in Australia and his Eden Valley vineyards are the perfect place to produce this iconic wine.

Named of the sundial erected in the vineyard in 1842, Wehlener Sonnenuhr is the most famous vineyard in the Mosel. Extremely steep with optimal south-south west exposure, it yields fragrantly floral wines with ripe stone fruit aromas, underlying slately minerality and wonderful depth of flavour and structure. The Spatlese wines are very reticent in youth, blossoming between two and four years of age to display vibrant green apple, and white stone-fruit notes supported by a backbone of racy acidity.

Grenache has long been a stalwart of the South Australian wine scene and Penfolds have been blending Grenache with Shiraz since the 1950's. Recent years has seen a growing trend for the luscious perfumed styles like those emanating out of the northern Rhône and the Bin 138 produces a brilliant example. Going from strength to strength, this particular wine is quickly gathering momentum as one of the stand-out releases in the Bin series.

Graacher Himmelreich is a renowned vineyard that borders the southern edge of its more famous neighbour Wehlener Sonnenuhr. The Spatlese examples typically show lime and lemon sherbety aromas with savoury and honeyed overtones and pronounced slately minerality carried along by signature Mosel racy acidity.

2016 Clarendon Hills Domaine Clarendon BDX Deep Crimson. A harmonious combination of forrest floor, polished wooden furniture, chocolate shavings with understated blackcurrant and blackberry fruit in what is a very low altitude, reserved expression. As the glass evolves the altitude of perfume slowly rises and a bouquet of cedar, roast almond, leather boot and blackcurrant liqueur finely interlace and create something quite unique and sophisticated. There is careful attention to detail across this finely polished and creamy smooth palate that evidently reflects the 40% Merlot inclusion. Layers of pure black fruit, earthy olive tapenade and subtle degrees of cigar tobacco, roast almond and baking spice nuance throughout this classical styled composition.

Unmistakably, Grange, this 2012 vintage is complex, flamboyant and lifted. An aromatic multi-cultural characteristics. The earthiness is well integrated with the aromas of dark fruits, grounded coffee, red liquorice and black olives, which leads to a firmly structured finish.

JOH. JOS. PRUM Graacher Himmelreich Riesling-Kabinett, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer