Made from single vineyard to bottle. Low yields. Cool climate grapes from Nangkita. Deep sandy soil and limestone beneath. Rich in elements for natural aromas and flavours. Vibrant cherry with spice and aromas of dark fruits. It's wonderfully ripe and inviting on the nose showing Black Doris plum, blackcurrant, olive and spicy oak characters. The generous palate displays succulent fruit richness with fine texture and polished tannins, finishing long and delectable. At its best: now to 2034. By Sam Kim, Wine Orbit. Nov 2022. www.alexanderdanielswine.com.

Château Rauzan-Ségla has a long history, with the first vines planted on the property in 1661. However, the official birth date of the château is considered to be 1763, when it separated from Rauzan-Gassies. The estate was gradually divided through the generations of the Rauzan family, but it gained a reputation and was classified as a Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855 alongside Château Mouton Rothschild. While the wines of the late 19th century became legendary, subsequent success was hindered by several obstacles, including a decline in vineyard area and outdated equipment. The estate was later acquired by the Wertheimer family, who continued to improve the vineyards and facilities, consolidating the Grand Vin as a super-second. Château Rauzan-Ségla has 70 hectares of vineyards, planted with the four Bordeaux grape varieties. The Grand Vin of Château Rauzan-Ségla is made with great care, using grapes from the main vineyards where the old Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines grow in well-cultivated soils. Small vats are used to create different batches that correspond to specific plots. Segla, the second wine of the estate, was created in 1989 and is produced using grapes from the vineyards surrounding the historic centre of Château Rauzan-Ségla. The wine is made with the same care and attention as the Grand Vin but is aged with less new oak and is typically less Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant. Segla is a renowned wine produced by Château Rauzan-Ségla, made from a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 53% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. The wine undergoes an 18-month aging process in barrels, with 20% of new oak used in the process. The 2018 vintage of Segla is structured with a full body and firm, chewy tannins that are polished and focused. It has a tight hazelnut finish and is recommended for drinking in 2024. James Suckling gave it a rating of 93 points.

The Victorian Pyrenees region is one of the few regions in Australia capable of producing consistent and distinctive high quality Merlot. Produced from selected parcels of fruit from their estate vineyard, this Merlot shows definitive varietal and regional character: medium-bodied in weight with a vibrant mouthful of bright fruit flavours, supported by a firm structure of fine grain tannins.

This Merlot blends the craftsmanship of California winemaking with the exotic tradition of dark rum barrel aging, resulting in an incredibly bold sensory expression. Dark ruby red in color, it opens with rich, sweet aromas of blackstrap molasses, sweet vanilla, mocha, cocoa powder, maple, tobacco leaf, spiced rum cake, anise, black cherry, and dark plum. Ripe, concentrated flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, spiced rum cake, molasses, caramel, brown sugar, baking spices, sweet oak, vanilla, and dark chocolate carry through to a long, lush, and sweet finish. A superb accompaniment to Caribbean rum cake, pasta Bolognese, Korean short ribs, Jamaican jerk chicken, spicy coconut curry, dark chocolate, brie with fig jam, and a white sandy beach at sunset.

Situated in the heart of the Limestone Coast, Reschke benefits from optimal vineyard soils characterised by thin layers of rich red loams overlaying ancient limestone. This distinct combination provides the perfect foundation for grapevine growth, allowing Reschke to consistently craft high-quality wines that capture the essence of the region. This Shiraz has intense aromas of dark berries, black plums, and a touch of cracked black pepper. Ripe fruit flavours harmonise with notes of dark chocolate and subtle oak, creating a full-bodied and velvety mouthfeel,while well-integrated tannins contribute to the lingering finish that leaves traces of blackberry with a hint of spice.

The 2008 release of this took out the prestigious tri-nations award. The 2009 from a stronger vintage looks even better. A classicist?s Merlot; plum and cassis supported by fine tannin.

Deep purple in colour, this Merlot has an attractive nose of ripe red berries and cassis. The palate is soft and generous with plenty of sweet, juicy flavours. Great drinking and a great price!

Colour and Condition: Deep brick red hue; bright condition. Nose: A really youthful appeal, with an immediate impression of dark fruit aromas black berries, mulberries and black currants. A second viewing shows the beginnings Merlots darker side, with tar, leather and earth just starting to add complexity into the background. Palate: The classic Merlot palate, with rich, dark berry flavours like black jubes filling the front and mid palate. Firm tannin then takes over and gives the wine a linear, astringent but not too aggressive finish, which is juicy and concentrated.