In 1983, Hugo Gramp’s legacy was honoured with the release of the first wine named ‘St Hugo’. The addition of the title ‘St’ was inspired by the charming European tradition of naming vineyards after saints to bestow good fortune upon them. Crafted from the outstanding 1980 vintage, the first St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon was hailed for its power and elegance, much like the great man himself. Today, more than 30 vintages on, St Hugo continues to set the benchmark for excellence in Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, with every vintage released awarded gold.

The late Jim Barry was a pioneer of Australian table wine, graduating with the 17th diploma in winemaking in Australia. He went on to become the first qualified winemaker to work in the Clare Valley of South Australia and with his wife, Nancy, built a successful wine business, which has produced trophy-winning wines since its establishment in 1959. Today, the custodian of Jim Barry Wines is their second son Peter, who joined the family winery in 1977 and now works along side his own sons, Tom and Sam. The Barry family name is synonymous with the Clare wine region. The Barry family believe that great wine is made in the vineyard and as such, are committed to owning their own vineyards. This control allows them to develop outstanding fruit quality and flavour which are then retained during winemaking. Over the last 60 years the family has worked to establish a mosaic of sites - 17 vineyards covering 320 hectares in the Clare Valley and two vineyards covering 35 hectares in the Coonawarra. Each unique in soil profile, climate, aspect and elevation. Each year, the Jim Barry winemakers identify distinctive parcels of fruit the reflect the vineyard from which they are grown. This small-batch project allows the creation of unique, vintage-specific wines that highlight the best fruit from vineyards owned by the family. This Cabernet was sourced from older Cabernet vines at the Lodge Hill property and shows the hallmark earthy characteristics of Clare Cabernet with elegant, fine tannins and vibrant purple fruit flavours. An intense and decadent of red wine, Jim Barry Eastern Ranges 2016 is a single vineyard Cabernet is rich and robust with dark fruit, menthol, dark chocolate and spicy flavours matched with food-friendly acidity finishing long and velvety on the palate. Drink or cellar for 10-plus years.

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.

LEEUWIN ESTATE Prelude Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

Frankland Estate Olmo's Reward, named after Dr Harold Olmo who first identified viticultural potenital of the isolated Frankland River region, is an elegant blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot and small components of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The concentrated palate has fine grained tannins, dark chocolates and savoury earthy notes leading to a generous and long finish.

Katnook is a beacon for quality in Coonawarra for many a decade. Their Cabernet is their flagship that has a rich and elegant bouquet with aromas of cedary blackcurrant. Supported by well integrated toasty oak while the palate shows long fine varietal flavours.

A rich, lush wine of abundant fruits - red currants, mulberries, plums, blackberries, blueberries and cassis, this ambling fruit richness is complimented by plentiful ripe fruit tannins and the finest grained French oak.

2018 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon, Nose of Dark cherry and lavender imbued with underlying dried mint. The 2018 Black Label Cabernet is a combination of dark fruit and finesse. Initially the palate is soft and round, but a fine tannin framework provides structure and length on the palate. A beautifully balanced, medium- weight Cabernet with all the hallmarks of this 20heritage label. Pristine varietal cabernet fruit balanced for guaranteed cell

Parker Estate Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon is a Coonawarra Cabernet that always looks classy. Big rich cassis, blackberry and raspberry fruit ripple with an appealing suggestion of leafiness. The very best oak is always used for Parker's wines and that is evident again with fine integrated influence of French oak that delivers a balanced cedar and cigar box finish.