Chateau Chantalouette is the second wine of Chateau de Sales. Owned by the same family for over five centuries, the 116 acre estate is the largest in the appellation and boasts the only true castle of Pomerol. Chantalouette refers to one of the larger parcels constituting the vineyard of Chateau de Sales. A blend of 73percent Merlot, 16percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11percent Cabernet Franc, opening with aromas of juicy blue plums, brown spices, and notes of truffles. The palate has the roundness and generosity associated with Pomerol, with a supple and elegant approachablity, finishing with a creamy, chocolatey finish. Charming, elegant, and seductive, providing much a great deal of drinking pleasure.

Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent nearly fifty years establishing itself as one of North America’s premier producers of Napa Valley wines. Fundamental to the winery's tradition was the early decision to focus on the production of Merlot. Dan Duckhorn felt that this elegant Bordeaux varietal was underappreciated in North America. "I liked the softness, the seductiveness, the colour, the fact that it went with a lot of different foods; It seemed to me to be a wonderful wine to just enjoy. I became enchanted with Merlot." Crafted from both mountain and valley floor vineyards, this alluring wine embodies the rich diversity of great Napa Valley Merlot. From its velvety tannins and lively acidity to luxurious layers of plum, candied black cherry, red liquorice and sweet baking spices, this gracefully structured Merlot glides to a lush, lingering finish. Matured for 15 months in 100% French oak barrels, of which 40% were new.

L’Epiphanie de Saint-Estèphe comes from a very fine estate in Bordeaux’s legendary St-Estèphe appellation in the northernmost part of the Médoc – one of only two Second Growths. (There are actually no First Growths in St-Estèphe, so this is pretty much top of the tree.) First Growth Château Lafite is just across a stream to the south, which gives you an idea of the hallowed terroir we’re talking about. We can’t reveal which estate this wine comes from, but we can tell you that two of its Grand Vins from the legendary 2009 & 2010 vintages were rated a perfect 100 points by the great Robert Parker – wines that sell for nearly $200 per bottle! It's compellingly aromatic – a seductive scent of violets and ripe red fruit. The luscious palate delivers concentrated cassis and plum, with touches of mineral and cherry on the long, sensuous, minerally, finish. It's a sublime example of the lavish St Estephes from this great estate, silky smooth, velvety, complex and long.

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.

In every wine region there are hidden gems, and Bordeaux is no exception. Chateau Chantecaille Clauzel is a tiny (0.4ha) patch of vines right on the border between St-Emilion and Pomerol, wedged in by vines owned owned by Chateaux LEvangile and La Dominique. Illustrious near-neighbours include Cheval Blanc, Petrus and Gazin. Chance, a proud family history and local politics account for its survival. If the cards had fallen differently Chantecaille Clauzels fruit would be incorporated in a much more famous and much more expensive wine. Chantecaille Clauzel is essentially Merlot, with a little Cabernet Franc. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and matured in seasoned barriques (just five or six of them) at the Clauzel familys nearby Chateau Guillot Clauzel.

Vibrant and intense dark cherry paired with generous juicy dark fruits. The palate is balanced with layers of vanilla and hints of mocha supported by fine-boned tannins and underlying oak complexity.

Podere La Brancaia is one of Tuscanys leading wine estates, each year winning national and international awards. The winery is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone at Poppi, in Radda in Chianti, and draws on its own fruit from Poppi and La Brancaia in Castellina. A selection of their best Sangiovese, with 20% Merlot, matured in barriques (half new) for 16 months, followed by 6 months in the bottle. Loaded with ripe fruits of dark cherry and plum, the Merlot gives the wine mid-palate depth and richness to make this a great wine for drinking now or cellaring over the short term.

Made from the top hill grapes. Single Vineyard to bottle. Sandy limestone soil, cool climate. Stone fruit flavours. Low yields. Vibrant cherry with spice and aromas of dark fruits.