Grape grower Natale Seghesio is known as 'il Poeta' ('the Poet') to his friends. Not only for his lyrical compositions (featured on the label), but also for the intensely flavoured produce of his vines, growing in the premium Piedmont hills. Talented winemaker Paolo Sartirano snaps up Natale's grapes every year, taking them to his family's cellar. Founded in 1871, this cellar is now 150 years old and today in the hands of the fourth generation. Paolo has crafted Il Poeta to be a truly poetical expression of the finest Nebbiolo. Three years ageing in oak ensures the fruit marries perfectly with silky, toasted spice character. Deeply flavoured and complex, the wine is best opened early and decanted. Serve in large glasses with hearty dishes.

Peter Lehmann was known as the ‘Baron of the Barossa’, was a member of the Order of Australia, was called “a legend in his own lifetime” (Halliday) and “the most famous man in the Australian wine business” (Matthew Jukes). Barossa Cabernet is lavishly dark and mouthfilling ... as you’ll see when you taste this luscious Gold-winning example. Classic, inky black colour with generous lashings of rich dark blackcurrant, forest fruits, chocolate with eucalypt mint and spice undertones.

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 winemaker Paul Hotker, a “master blender” , was named Halliday’s Winemaker of the Year 2018. The winery was recently shortlisted for Best Value Winery 2023 in the Halliday Wine Companion Awards. Matured for 9 months in 10% new French and American oak barrels. A truly regional Langhorne Creek blend (49/40/11% shiraz/cabernet sauvignon/malbec) which offers some spice and mid-dark chocolate to the palate. It's succulent, with all elements in unison. It's also stupidly good value... Great Value... 92pts" (Tony Love, Halliday Wine Companion).

A striking creature with a most lustful heart, the night is her ally in performing her craft. She strives to obtain a ruby red treasure, of unsurpassed beauty and value past measure. A calling in life, her great reason to live, she takes what she wants but chooses to give. Adrian Hoffmann is the source of the Mourvèdre and Grenache. Old vines, big flavour, just what you would expect from his Ebenezer vineyards. The other part - the Shiraz - has come from Redheads' long-time partner in crime John Kalleske over in Koonunga. Bright, lifted red fruit aromas of sweet cherry and plum combined with floral and turkish delight characters. Subtle savoury notes, dark morello cherry and red plum characters. A mid-weight GSM with softly woven tannins.

With his wines acclaimed by critics worldwide, Diffonty is a household name in the southern Rhône. Fine wine expert and Rhône fan Robert Parker described the Diffonty Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf wines as “full-bodied, powerful, rich and oozing unmistakable Provençal character”. Comprising mostly Grenache supported by a little Syrah, the Réserve de l’Abbé is made by Jean-Marc with as much care and attention as he affords his top reds. Using grapes from just outside the Châteauneuf boundary, the wine was fermented in traditional wooden and also stainless steel vats before blending and bottling. It’s sumptuous and velvety, with warming red berry and wild herb complexity. Best decanted early, the wine’s ideal served with a hearty casserole.

Many of you will remember Sam Trimboli from his days at Warburn Estate where, every vintage, he’d pick up literally hundreds of awards. He’s still on a winning streak, but now he’s renting space all for himself at a winery in Riverina, New South Wales. Sam makes there the mighty Black Duck, and his white version – the equally fruity and irresistible White Duck. Sam has been in the region for many years, so knows exactly where the best grapes are growing. In 2021, he selected when he wanted them picked too, cool fermenting and adding a touch of citrusy Pinot Grigio to the blend. This is the sort of wine you should never be short of, ready chilled in the fridge. Exuberant with bright melon fruit – serve solo or with a spicy noodle dish.

Deep, dark and dangerously easily to drink, Rex Mundi Special Edition is a beguiling black beauty. It was created by Parker rated winemaker Hervé Sabardeil, whose lavish elixirs have been enchanting us for over a decade. It is a Carignan-Grenache blend made from grapes taken from the very oldest vines – some over 100 years in age – grown on the finest slate soils of Maury in the Roussillon. As you might imagine yields are minute, which accounts for the depth of colour and intensity of flavour. Hervé aged half the wine in oak cask for six months to lend a luxurious layer of complexity. This is a powerful red, beautifully balanced and terrifically long with herbal spice nuances. Slips down nicely on its own, or with rich game pie.

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.

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.