Spain’s Alicante region was once plagued by fierce pirates – including the legendary ‘Red Beard’, or Barbarossa. We can’t say for sure if they left any hidden booty, but we did uncover a treasure trove of gnarled old vines yielding tiny quantities of intensely flavoured grapes. Our buyer, Becca, was visiting winemaker Pamela Geddes when she spotted a single plot of Garnacha Tintorera. This grape is usually blended into other Spanish reds to add richness – but Becca persuaded Pamela to bottle it as the star. The result? Three Golds, a Double Gold and 90pts, and a deep, rich red, with just a dash of Shiraz for gentle spice. Brimming with blackcurrant and spicy bramble fruit, Barbarossa is a must-try for Black Red fans.

The Bill & Arthur is named after two pioneering and well-regarded Coonawarra local legends and, we are delighted to tell you, that in the glass, this special exclusive is deep, dark and downright delicious. Drawn from the 1890s heritage row and other Redman vineyards with an average vine age of about 50 years, the Bill & Arthur stands as a classic Coonawarra Shiraz: medium-bodied, with a richness of fruit that ripens at a lower alcohol level than typical Barossa and McLaren Vale Shiraz. Hand-plunged and basket-pressed, the 2021 exhibits generous blackcurrent, violet and bramble aromas, leading to a savoury flavor profile with a touch of pepper and Chinese five-spice playing in the background. Just add barbequed ribeye with black pepper sauce. Dan Redman describes the 2021 vintage as one of Coonawarra’s best. Matured in aged American and French oak for about 12 months. Will cellar for 5 to 10 years but ready for immediate drinking pleasure.

Saracosa is inspired by the ‘Super Tuscans’ – a style first developed in the 1970s. These wines kickstarted the region’s renaissance and became some of the most exclusive and expensive in the world. Saracosa is from the Barbanera family estate, where half the vineyards are in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, and the remainder just beyond. In the 5-Star 2017 vintage Saracosa’s old vines delivered exceptional concentration. Dense, dark cherry and chocolatey tones make this a serious choice for pasta with pork ragù or bistecca alla fiorentina (steak with cannellini beans in tomato sauce).

Winner of 'Best Value Australian Shiraz' and 'Best Dinner Party Red Wine' at the World Wine Championships, the multi-Gold-medal Lake Doctor Langhorne Creek Shiraz shows why Zonte's Footstep wines are "out of this world!" (Matthew Jukes). Australian red lovers know that Langhorne Creek provides incredible flavour – it was the ‘secret’ weapon in many of Wolf Blass’s famous Trophy-winning reds. And here you have it in pure form. The fruit comes from a single Shiraz block in the heart of Langhorne Creek – the Lake Doctor Vineyard on the shores of Lake Alexandrina. On hot summer afternoons the cooling breeze of the ‘Lake Doctor’ arrives and revives vines and vignerons alike.

Cru Bourgeois is a prestigious term used for Bordeaux reds from estates outside the 1855 classification that consistently deliver wines of outstanding quality and value. Estates are reviewed every five years to retain the standing. This classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a dash of Petit Verdot, is one of the top Cru Bourgeois buys. It’s from an estate family owned since 1870, located in Cussac-Fort-Médoc, close to the iconic Bordeaux appellations of Margaux and St-Julien. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (30% new), and delivers with blackcurrant, plum and cedar spice, supple tannins, freshness and a long, elegant finish. It’s finely structured, and offers sheer Bordeaux charm. Certainly approachable now, but with the potential to age gracefully for a decade or more.

Top winemaker Andrea Bernardini knows how to get the most from the Nero di Troia grape. The result? Deliciously dark and velvety Corsiero – winner of two Golds and huge 97pt score. No need to blend Nero di Troia with softer varieties – gently pressed and carefully vinified, it delivers a seductive, deeply flavoured, fruit-driven red wine. The grape takes its name from the town of Troia in northern Puglia, said to have been founded by the Greek hero Diomedes, famed for helping defeat Troy in Asia Minor (yes, the grape really is that old!). Enjoy brooding black fruit aromas, rich plum, blackberry, violet and smoky vanilla flavours, and a gloriously long finish. It’s perfect with hearty pasta dishes, game or a slow-cooked stew.

Bordeaux’s prestigious Médoc is renowned for producing some of the region’s finest reds. Château Vieux Gadet is a red wine crafted at an a third-generation family estate under the careful guidance of winemaker Thierry Trento. Awarded the rare title of ‘Artisan Cru’, reserved only for the smallest, hands-on châteaux, Vieux Gadet is a Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend of depth and elegance. Rich layers of ripe red fruit, warm spices and toasty notes unfold across smooth, silky tannins. It’s approachable now, yet structured enough to age beautifully. Pair alongside game, beef, lamb or aged cheeses – this is a true Médoc classic.

Produced in the same style as its McLaren Vale cousin, the Red Rattler South Australia edition combines brilliantly ripe fruit from top vineyards across the state to produce a succulent, powerful and brimming with velvety dark fruit flavours with hints of mocha and oak.

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!