This glorious, 91pt, FIVE-time Gold-medal claret comes from Ludovic Roussillon – who also co-owns a small property with the Thienpont family of legendary (and extraordinarily expensive) Château Le Pin. Bordeaux is where our story began 40 years ago...So we’ve plenty of friends, like Ludovic. His Château lies across the river from our exclusive cellar Le Chai au Quai. The soils here are rich in limestone and quick draining, which concentrates the rich flavours of the grapes. The result here is a lavishly rich and expressive wine that definitely impresses. We love it!

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.

Tucked away in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, next to Saint Emilion, is award winning Château de Colombe, a tiny estate much neglected until we took ownership in 2012. Now it’s being lavished with utmost care in the vineyard and the cellar. Our Head Winemaker, Haut-Brion-trained Jean-Marc Sauboua, quickly spotted the potential of its steep, south-facing slopes and limestone soils. Judging by the 11 Golds won over the last five vintages (two for 2020), he was spot on. 2020 has been unanimously declared as 'exceptional', its fruit deliciously ripe, which has made for a very much ‘drink me now’ style. Merlot with a little of both Cabernets and Malbec, aged a few months in barrel, this red is fruit-rich and supple. For now open early and decant.

Ludovic Roussillon is one of the top viticulteurs in Bordeaux’s Entre-Deux-Mers. He knows how to coax the very best out of his soils to get the most flavour in his grapes. Work hard in the vineyard and the wine almost makes itself, he says. We’ve worked with Ludovic for a number of years, enjoying both his red and his white from Château Le Coin. This is another wine from his vineyards – mostly Merlot, with a little Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon – all vinified to bring out the fruit's richness, supported by sleek tannins. Rethink Bordeaux with this supple, generous, rounded red. It’s already drinking really well, with or without food. Roast beef, full flavoured pasta dishes, charcuterie, cheese – this wine is very versatile.

This Great Value Barossa Merlot – with Gold and high points galore – is a treat to savour. .”… It's got the fleshiness you'd expect from the variety with an array of fine spice and hints of blueberry pie, dark chocolate, vanilla bean, earth, black cherry compote and purple flowers. Truth be told, it's a lovely drink and there's some great value to be had here. 92pts. Great Value.” (Dave Brookes, The Halliday Wine Companion). For Sam Kim, Wine Orbit it’s: “Splendidly fruited and inviting…” and ”… displays succulent fruit intensity with plump mouthfeel and polished tannins, finishing long and robust.94pts.” The Schild Estate can boast Shiraz vines planted by Ann Jacobs back in 1847! The Schild's first arrived in Australia in 1866, and the family moved to the Barossa and purchased vineyards here in 1952. They did not make their first 'Schild' branded wine until 1998, but the estate's reputation grew steadily. Although no longer owned by the family, the estate's vineyards are all still under the family's control.

Warramunda Estate's Merlot 2021 using fruit from vines planted in 2015 from their Coldstream Vineyard is, as Philip Rich writes in The Halliday Wine Companion: "An impressive merlot from such young vines, this opens with aromas of damson plum, blackcurrants, lifted florals and just a hint of cedar. Medium bodied with persistent, even tannins, this elegant wine can be enjoyed now and over the next five to seven years at least. 93pts.” Sam Kim Wine Orbit loves its "…beautifully rounded palate offering fine texture and grainy tannins.93pts" and Jeni Port, WinePilot agrees and encourages people to try it: "“Yes, it’s Merlot. Yes, it’s flying solo without a safety net (aka Cabernet). Try and cast the usual Australian drinker concerns about the grape aside and give it a go. The winemaker clearly has confidence, you should, too. You won’t be disappointed. It’s a beaut, medium in body with plenty of elegance and aromatic energy. Typical Yarra Valley plushness here brings a lovely depth of flavour highlighting rose, raspberry, black cherry, gentle vanillin oak spice with a touch of leafiness. Beautifully composed with fine tannins in total unison. Love the sprig of dried herbs, pepper and anise on the finish that keeps things rolling on. 93pts” The Magdziarz family bought Warramunda in 2027 and have built themselves a solid reputation using biodynamic viticulture – with a deep respect for the surrounding landscape and a vision for terroir-driven wines, now made by daughter Olivia Zak-Magdziarz.

Enjoy a newly released – freshly landed, smooth, plummy Merlot from premium vineyards in Hawke's Bay, a region recognised as one of the best 12 best wine regions in the world. Why Seismic? Well, Hawke’s Bay is the most earthquake prone region in NZ. Between 1845 to 2001 there have been 20 earthquakes at magnitude 6 or greater. Nicolas Culeme is a French winemaker with multiple vintages in both France and New Zealand, including working for famous Domaine Paul Mas in South of France. He settled permanently in New Zealand in 2017. He makes this silky red, which boasts plenty of plum fruit flavours combined with a hint of spicy oak on the nose. The palate is delightfully smooth with bags of fresh, ripe red berry flavours.

A luscious Gold-medal Merlot from the great John Quarisa. It's smooth and complex, with velvety black forest fruits and a juicy plummy note. The palate is silky and lovely. It’s a brilliant partner to pan-fried lamb cutlets. John Quarisa’s lovely Caravan Petite Sirah has become a cult-classic with our customers. But will his velvety Merlot knock the Petite Sirah off its perch?