From the cold climate Orange region, this red has soft silky tannins & luscious fruits. Have a bottle on standby for when friends call by.

COLOUR : Intense ruby red colour with garnet hues. BOUQUET : Gentle embrace of lavender and white musk, warmed by the prosperous reminiscences of red cherry, agapanthus flowers and pepper. FLAVOUR : The palate is generous, opulent and harmonious, without losing its freshness. The ferrous touch of the vine of origin gives the wine roundness. The firm tannic texture ensures intriguing evolutions in the future. RECOMMENDED WITH : Ideal with roasts and matured cheeses. SERVING TEMPERATURE : 16 – 18 degrees C.

91pt Barossa Merlot from the impressive Thorn-Clarke. "Attractively ripe and fragrant, the bouquet shows dark plum, floral, thyme, and nutmeg aromas, leading to a silky-smooth palate that's juicy and beautifully rounded. Delightfully composed and expressed with a lengthy, supple finish. 91pts" (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit). Thorn Clarke is one of the largest family-owned estate-based businesses in the Barossa, set up by David and Cheryl Clarke (née Thorn), The Sandpiper range is named after the migratory bird which visits the Thorn-Clarke vineyards annually from the northern hemisphere - something of a reminder of the tenacity and commitment which is required for long term viticulture.

With a slightly warmer climate and fine-tuned, sophisticated winemaking, Bordeaux’s wines have never been better. And being slightly off trend right now, their wines are excellent value too. This is a youthful, ripe claret from a small estate in the village of Saint-Christoly-en-Médoc. Fabien and Amélie Faget bought the property in 2016 and have pursued an environmentally, non-interventionist approach in the vineyard and the cellar. Using a classic Médoc blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it has “good tension and focus … with a firm and chewy mid-palate, nicely filled with vibrant dark fruit” (James Suckling). Open early and decant for optimum drinking. An ideal red with roast meats, firm cheeses or a slow-cooked casserole.

Château Latour à Pomerol is one of the leading Pomerol properties and - while unclassified - one of the great crus of the Gironde. Latour à Pomerol consists of just under 8 hectares of vineyards split into two plots: the first is known as Les Grandes Vignes and is located on a gravel outpost next to the Church of Pomerol. The second plot lies on sandy, lighter soils and is to be found on the western side of the Pomerol plateau. Latour a Pomerol's grapes (90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc) are hand harvested and then fermented in temperature controlled concrete vats. The wine is then matured in small oak barrels (50% new) for 18 months. It is bottled unfiltered. Latour á Pomerol produces sumptuous, meaty, concentrated and full-bodied Pomerols that often require at least 10 years of cellaring. In the context of other top class Pomerols they remain underpriced.

Champions of cool-climate New South Wales, Logan have produced a Merlot with balanced fruit sweetness with true complexity. There is plenty of smooth, rich and voluptuous fruit on offer while fine-grained tannin and structured acid add a further dimension to this luscious wine. One could certainly argue that this is the perfect food match wine.