Pillastro Nero is a true ‘black red’ – from the ornate label to the deep, dark wine inside. Angelo Maci (winner of three Vinitaly Winemaker of the Year titles) crafted it from Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Primitivo (40%) grown on his 80-year-old alberello-trained bush vines in Puglia, Southern Italy. These gnarled heirlooms yield precious few grapes, meaning each one is a knot of intensely concentrated flavour. In the winery, Angelo treated it to six months’ barrel ageing, imparting toasty oak and sweet spice notes to the wine’s lusciously ripe, black- and bramble-fruit flavours. This is a stunner. Enjoy.

What a stunning collection! You’ve lavishly dark and intense Barossa Cabernet from the estate of the late, great Peter Lehmann, two fine Coonawarra drops from Rymill and Pepper Tree, a chocolate-rich treasure from McLaren Vale in the sumptuous Beneficio, “magician” (Halliday) John Quarisa’s silky rich and long Gold-medal 30 Mile and more.

Punnets of strawberry, blackberry and raspberry flavour are miraculously shoehorned into a standard size bottle, while ageing in American oak adds a spicy, toasty finishing touch. 'Big Mac' McPherson grew up in the world of wine, tutored by his father Jock, who had established a winery in the Hunter Valley. Andrew went on to set up wineries at home and abroad and work for some Australia's top names. These days he crafts characterful wines by himself at great value prices. The Full Fifteen is perfect with roast beef or lamb and a wonderful companion to barbecues.

"A super example of Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s from Clarendon, an area consistently producing some of the finest red wines in the region. This has everything – poise, power, elegance and style – all delivered with a smooth deft touch. 95pts"(Wine Pilot). It has a dash of Shiraz, which adds to the complexity and spends a full 24 months in oak lending it "vanillin oak, cake spice and cigar characters on the nose" and making it "Flavoursome and highly enjoyable" (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit).

For over 20 years, John Quarisa has worked as a winemaker for some of the most recognisable wineries in Australia. During his time at Casella, he was instrumental in securing them the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy in 2004. John has since branched out to create a range of wines that bear his family name. This particular range, named after his wife Josephine Quarisa, features this outstanding Coonawarra Cabernet, which over a couple of vintages has picked up several Golds. This one has two, something Mrs Q must be stoked about.

A single vineyard Coonawarra treat with FIVE Golds including a rare Great Gold, a Double, and multiple scores of 94-97 pts. "This is a compelling rendition, showing crème de cassis, Black Doris plum, violet and cigar box aromas on the nose, leading to a sumptuous palate that's both powerful and sophisticated. Multi-layered, immensely complex and properly structured with a great line and length" (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit). Stuart Knox in The Real Review remarks how its "big and rich lift of cassis, cola, and dark chocolate jumps from the glass. A big and dense wine, lashings of black fruit, layered with vanilla and cola spices".