Usually Mountadama's 'The Red' is a Cab Merlot blend, but in 2018 the switch was made from Merlot to Shiraz as the secondary varietal component. "At this level of ripeness and generosity, the switch from merlot to shiraz is surprising, bolstering mid-palate density. The integrity of this cool site triumphs in the end, with crunchy blackcurrant fruit, fine-grained tannins and gentle acidity holding impressive line and length.” Tyson Stelzer, The Halliday Wine Companion. Sam Kim is a fan too, calling it "Wonderfully ripe and enticing..." 94pts.

Grant Nash is a name coined by an autocorrect of the word Grenache. A group of like-minded Grenache fans produce the wines, largely from McLaren Vale sites and they are very good. Ironically this blend with Shiraz and Mourvedre – puts Mourvedre into ascendancy. "... a mixed spice nose of clove, pepper and other brown spices, the palate full-bodied and deep with good tannin structure and a touch of firmness. The fruit does the talking but it's far from simplistic. The Mourvèdre shows through and it has ageing potential.” (Huon Hooke, The Real Review).

The warm and dry 2017 vintage allowed perfectly ripe fruit to be harvested. The red plum and black cherry aromas lead to a fruit driven and softly textured palate with background vanillin and spice from oak barrel maturation.

Portuga is made by Casa Santos Lima, a grand Portuguese estate in the Lisboa region, just north of the capitol. João Santos Lima founded it in the 19th century and it has been in the same family for three generations. Diogo Sepúlveda is the winemaker today. He has worked vintages all across the world, including Bordeaux's prestigious Pomerol and California's Napa Valley. He is a talented winemaker, who relaxes in his spare time by wrestling bulls (all muscle, no knives!). Portuga is a rich, velvety blend of traditional native varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, aged gently in oak. Delicious either served on its own, with rich pork dishes, or tangy tomato pasta. It's an ideal wine for a barbecue too or with mature hard cheeses.

Hervé Sabardeil, our winemaker with limitless talent, has been making Cabalié, the big, ripe Catalan red, for over 15 years. He added the old-vine (Vieilles Vignes) edition in 2011, originally as a one off, but it was so popular we insisted he did it again. And again! The magic to this punchy red is really in the vines. At 60 to 100-years-old, yields are minute (about half of a Grand Cru claret). As a rule of thumb, the smaller the yield, the more concentrated the fruit, the more flavoursome the wine! That’s why we call it Cabalié’s Big Brother. Still made in the same style that was beloved by the Roman centurions and now our customers too, it packs even more flavour than the original. Ideal with garlic-roasted lamb, rich stews or cheese.

Southern France's Languedoc region is a treasure trove of good value, well-ripened reds. And the grapes are often almost identical to those of the southern Rhône – here we're talking about Grenache and Syrah, although there are plenty more like Carignan and Cinsault that also shine. Thanks to the sun-filled Mediterranean climate, varied soils and drying wind, the Languedoc is an excellent region for making really appealing, warm-fruit wines. Using a blend of Grenache and Syrah, this appealing red combines juicy blackberry and raspberry fruit with ripe tannins, long sweet spice and liquorice notes. With its soft, velvety texture, this goes with just about anything – from pizza and pasta to grilled meats. It's great on its own too and top choice at a barbecue.

Jeff and Vicky Dewar established Willow Bridge Estate after acquiring a spectacular 180ha hillside property in the Ferguson Valley. Under winemaker Kim Horton, "many of its wines offer exceptional value for money" (Halliday). This WA Shiraz from Geographe boasts aromas of black pepper, blueberry, and vanilla, with ripe blackberry circling underneath. Black plum and blackberry, showing presence on the palate, with dark olive, warming long tannin and flavoursome toasty oak in support.

Jeff and Vicky Dewar established Willow Bridge Estate after acquiring a spectacular 180ha hillside property in the Ferguson Valley. Under winemaker Kim Horton, many of its wines offer exceptional value for money. This Solana Tempranillo has loads of plum and raspberry fruits. A style that exudes vibrancy and complexity. Distinctive generosity of dark berry fruits with mouthwatering tannins which match perfectly to food. Aromatics of rose hip, licorice and black jube, blueberry fruits with dark plums. Powerful, long and lingering, loads of plum and raspberry fruit, spice and minerality, sitting neatly with savoury tannin and licks of vanilla.