The Angaston Road Growers range is all about honouring the often unsung heroes of the wine world, the growers. It is their intimate knowledge of the local terroir, the changes of season, and the varietals they tend to that ensure the special parcels of fruit that make it to the winery are in tip-top form to make quality wines like this fine Merlot from Coonawarra grower Mick Gillon.

Hailing from Cariñena, neighbour to Rioja, in northeast Spain, picked at peak of ripeness, it's bursting with silky ripe cherry and summer berry fruit. One of the oldest wine regions of Spain, Cariñena lies just southeast of Rioja, a land of ancient low-yield vines. Most of its vineyards nurture native varieties Garnacha, but this red shows its winemakers can excel equally well with international stars, including Merlot. This grape ripens to perfection in the arid rocky soils and hot sunshine. Mirlo Merlot is a smooth, full-of-fruit red for easy sipping. Served at a cool room temperature, it's a great party wine, and tasty with chicken, veggie kebabs or frittata.

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.

The Cielo Freschello Rosso Vivo NV is a delightful red wine hailing from the Veneto region in Italy. The nose is filled with rich aromas of ripe red berries, cherries, and a hint of earthy spice. On the palate, this wine boasts a deep ruby color with a medium body and smooth tannins. The fruit-forward flavors of blackberry and plum are perfectly balanced with a touch of oak and a lingering finish. This wine is a perfect representation of the quality and expertise of Cielo, one of the leading producers in Italy. Enjoy this versatile wine on its own or pair it with hearty Italian dishes for a truly sublime experience. Cheers to the Veneto and the timeless tradition of Italian winemaking captured in every bottle of Cielo Freschello Rosso Vivo NV.

A Gold, 92pt beauty. Château La Clarière is blessed with 50 different vineyard plots, all ideally situated on the superb limestone plateau from where both Saint-Emilion and Castillon’s finest wines hail. However, the grapes from the Enclos single vineyard, literally five metres from Saint-Emilion’s priciest Grands Crus Classés, have always been kept separate. It’s a vineyard surrounded by hedgerows, shrubs and dotted with trees – its most biodiverse; farmed organically too. All Merlot, carefully fermented on the estate, with regular plunge down and a year’s ageing in part new and part seasoned French oak barrels, it’s a very fine, velvety claret. Open early and preferably decant. It will make a very handsome partner to roast red meats or a cheeseboard.

Steeple Block is the answer to Merlot-lovers prayers – a heavenly, well-rounded red from McLaren Vale.