Bleasdale is “one of the most historic wineries in Australia... in 2015 celebrating 165 years of continuous winemaking by the direct descendants of the founding Potts family.” (Halliday). Among many major awards, they’ve won the Jimmy Watson Trophy and they recently made the 2023 Shortlist for the Halliday Wine Companion's Best Value Winery. Winemaker Paul Hotker, a “master blender”, was named Halliday’s Winemaker of the Year 2018. This fine red is another example of why Langhorne Creek Shiraz is regarded by many as delivering Australia’s best-value reds, vintage after vintage. Intense aromas of blackberries, plums and Asian spice. Juicy dark fruits define the medium-to-full palate, with clove and liquorice notes dancing up back. Soft tannins.

In 1912, horse fanatic Joseph Osborn sold his stables and horses and bought the family the d'Arenberg estate in premium McLaren Vale. Joseph chose McLaren Vale as it has some of Australia's oldest vineyards, and with an array of soils and the cooling affect of the nearby ocean, it's ideal for vines. Winemaker today is sixth generation Chester Osborn. He continues the family tradition of treading the grapes by foot part way through fermentation. It certainly ensures plenty of dark colour, character and richness in the wines. You'll always spot a d'Arenberg wine with its bold red stripe on the label.

It was David Duband's father, Pierre, who started the estate in 1965. He bought 15 hectares of land in the then unfashionable Côtes de Nuits, just west of Nuits-St-George, and grew grapes. These he sold to the cooperative in Beaune. In 1991, David joined and the first wine was made at the domaine. He took over four years later. There have been many changes since, with the acquisition of 5 Grands and 7 Premiers Crus and a new winery built in 2007. They have farmed organically since 2006 and introduced whole bunch fermentation since 2008. With wines from 23 Burgundy appellations and listings in over half of France's three-Michelin-star restaurants, David is obviously doing something right! From an exceptional vintage, this is a very fine red.

Made in the contemporary style, Marchand & Burch Rosé flaunts a luminescent sunstone colour with light pink tinges. The wine's bouquet exudes aromas of strawberry coulis and cream. The silky palate shows flavours of red berries and peach. The saline, chalky and savoury notes provide length as well as a fine drying balance to the wine's finish. All in all, it's a gentle wine, perfectly layered with subtle complexities to be explored. This Rose pairs very well with light pastas, seafood and goat cheese.

Eden Valley’s Mountadam Vineyards was established in 1972 and is nestled on a unique rocky outcrop ranging in elevation up to 550m. The vineyards were founded by David Wynn, who is credited with several milestones in winemaking, including the creation of the wine cask and planting the first contour vineyard in Australia. “More concentrated. More intense. A firmer weave of coffee grind and clove to bitter chocolate-doused tannins, too, with a darker fruit persuasion than its sassier brethren. More typically Australian, I suppose. More oomph, auguring well for a long, bright future. ... 93 points” (Halliday Wine Companion).

Shiraz and Grenache blend beautifully in many of the warmer parts of South Australia. This AAA is Paxton's 9th release, crafted similar to a Rhone-style wine yet it is packed with Au's Terroir. Bright with juicy red berry fruits and spices on the palate with well integrated oak and tannins, giving this wine a remarkable lengthy finish.

Sun, clear air, cool elevated vineyards and great winemaking skills give Argentina all the ingredients for world class wines. Joanna Simon says: "As a wine country, Argentina has everything going for it" (The Sunday Times). The Waxed Bat is a triumphant creation from our good friend Opi Sadler, winner of two international Trophies to date, and winemaker at Andean Vineyards. The wine's name was inspired by memories of his grandfather's cellar - wine bottles sealed with heavy red wax and an occasional bat fluttering in the lamp light. Spicy, liquorice scented Shiraz, cassis laden Cabernet and dense Malbec create power and complexity. Smooth enough to drink on its own and terrific with spare ribs, steak or kebabs. Decant an hour in advance.

With an impressive award-winning history, this densely flavoured, spicy champion comes from the Padró family cellar founded in 1898, in Spain’s Tarragona region. Combining concentrated, old bush vine (up to 70 years old) Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre or Mataro) from Tarragona with a little from warm Jumilla for extra richness, plus a portion of strawberry scented Tempranillo, this rich and spicy red is spot on with barbecued, lamb or beef, or try it with a range of Spanish tapas-inspired delicacies.

Everyone loves good Rioja. Now take a step up to Reserva level. This is from the 2012 vintage, officially classified as ‘very good’. It was aged for at least a year in barrel and two in bottle to produce a Rioja of perfect balance and depth. Pagos de Tahola comes from the Chavarri family – Francisco and daughter Ruth form a winning partnership with winemaker Miguel Lopez Nuñez. Their exemplary wines are based on exuberant fruit harvested from mature vines in some of Rioja’s highest vineyards then infused with the signature fragrance of quality French and US oak. Rich aromas of dried berries and vanilla, hallmark red berry and sweet spice flavours and silky texture – impressively smooth. Serve with Spanish style rice dishes or grilled meats.