Château du Cèdre is widely regarded as the leading estate in Cahors. Brothers Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe, both qualified oenologists, can trace its history back to their grandfather Léon who left his native Flanders to settle in south-west France in the early 1900s. In due course Léon’s son Charles and his wife Marie-Thérèse started a mixed farm in 1958 and began planting one hectare of vines in three different plots every year. Today, Château du Cèdre comprises 27ha of vineyards planted at 4000-5500 vines per hectare on some of the most prized terroirs in Cahors, most notably the famous troisième + 4th terrasses which are located just below the cliffs of the valley. These sites typically have more limestone terroir giving great freshness and while the most prized of these terraces are the 4th terraces which make up just 2% of Cahors, Chateau du Cedre owns 55% of these very best terraces. In keeping with the long history of Cahors, 90% of the vineyard is planted to Malbec (known locally as both Cot and Auxerrois), with 5% Merlot (now known to be a half-sibling of Malbec) and 5% Tannat. There is also 1ha of Viognier and a little of the Bordeaux whites, Sémillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc. For the 2015 vintage of Château du Cèdre Cahors Extra Libre Le Cèdre Malbec, the fruit has been certified organically grown, completely destemmed, and fermented in concrete tanks for a total of 30 days without the use of any sulphur. Again without sulphur, aged for 18 months in large oak barrels. This wine is vegan-friendly and is bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Unico Zelo is the project of winemaking couple Brendan and Laura Carter. In their words, their aim is to create “Italian-inspired, textural and site-expressive wines” and “Australian examples of Mediterranean varieties in an approachable and jovial fashion.” There is a bit of a shift this year for Pastafarian, with the inclusion of Sangiovese! The ultimate pasta variety, it must be said. Ask Brendan, Unico Zelo has long been critical of Sangiovese’s future in Australia, but after some recent encounters with other producers' expressions of the variety, they’ve jumped on the bandwagon. Lucky for the winery, it wasn’t far from home, as the fruit is from the lovely Polish Hill River Vineyard. Still, this wine is Nebbiolo through and through, and it’s the perfect marriage with Slovenian Oak for a perfumed, blue fruited and savoury structured Langhe-style Nebb. A touch of Merlot and Nero to add somebody (and a nice little spice too!). Top shelf here, finding an identity all of its own. Great wine.

Domaine Dubost is a fourth generation estate and has been managed by the hands of Jean-Paul Dubost since he took over from his father in 1993. They farm approximately 19 hectares, nine of which are from the village appellation. The rest of the land is split between Brouilly, Moulin à Vent, Morgon, and a little in Regnié. He has been transitioning to biodynamics since 2005 and ferments all of the wines with natural yeasts. The crus are made without sulphur or other additions. Jean-Paul Dubost Beaujolais-Lantignié Récolte is a red natural wine made from 100% Gamay grapes from the Beaujolais Village appellation called Beaujolais-Lantignié. Sustainable farming, low-intervention in the cellar.

Domaine Chanson Le Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2021 vintage has a bright red colouring in the glass. Scents of violet mixed with crunchy aromas of ripe cherries and strawberries on a hint of spice. Complex and full of energy. Tight texture on a very pure fruit. Long aftertaste with spicy nuances. Super classic Burgundy, ideal with braised and roasted meats, as well as meat-sauced pastas and regional cheeses (Comté, Epoisses, Citeaux). After a mild winter, spring settled down in March with very warm temperatures. May and June were warm and dry. Summer was warm and dry as well and punctuated by several heat waves and a few thunderstorms épisodes which brought some water. All the plots with a soil combination of clay were less sensitive to the hydric stress and lack of water. The harvest started around August 20 in Burgundy, an historically precocious date for the region. At Chanson, they started on August 23 under a bright sunshine. The red wines are crunchy, energetic, lively with a pure fruit.

Heathcote Estate has quickly emerged as an icon Shiraz producer from a region that continues to show its Shiraz pedigree. Tom Carson crafts this wonderful example that displays a rich bouquet of prunes licorice and plums with a deep dense palate showing quality oak is indicative of a wine which will age superbly.Every effort is made to include a gift box with delivery, however this cannot be guaranteed.

Australian Pinot Noir does not get any better than the wines produced by Phillip Jones at the iconic Bass Phillip winery. A Pinot Noir of utmoust power and elegance, the rival to any great Burgundy. Rated in the top classification in Langton's Classification of Australian Wine, Bass Phillip Pinot Noir is riddled with complex flavours of strawberry, violets, rose petal and forest floor. The length of palate is immortal.

Langmeil Jackamans Cabernet Sauvignon has developed a deliciously intense perfume of blackcurrants and mulberry with rich dark chocolates after two years in new and seasoned French oak hogsheads. A powerful wine from mature vines.

The focus here for this wine by Fletcher is on what Nebbiolo as a variety can do in Australian terroir. The philosophy behind these wines is to de-construct tradition and start afresh. Driven with obsession and going against the grain, Ann from Fletcher had the foresight to plant small acreage to mixed clones of Nebbiolo in 1998, which officially makes this some of the oldest Nebbiolo in Australia. Meticulously manicured, this vineyard, after the green harvest, is lucky if it produces 2 tonnes to the acre, and the fruit it produces is floral, rich and backed by Nebbiolo's superior tannins.