Château Lafleur is a tiny 4.5-hectare Pomerol property located opposite Pétrus and producing wines of comparable quality. It is owned and run by Sylvie and Jacques Guinadeau. While the majority of great Bordeaux châteaux have changed hands over the past several generations, Château Lafleur remains in the same family hands to this day. Its vineyards are situated on the gravel-rich Pomerol plateau and adjoin those of La Fleur-Pétrus. The soils here are particularly deep and are enriched by deposits of potassium and iron. Only natural fertilisers are used and yields are painfully low, even by Pomerol standards. Lafleur's wine is typically a blend of Merlot (50%) and Cabernet Franc (50%). It is aged in small oak barrels (50% new) for 18 months. Wines from Lafleur display a spectacularly intense perfume (partly attributable to the high percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend) and display layers and layers of concentrated, black fruits, minerals, tobacco spices and creamy liquorice on the palate. The best vintages can last for up to 50 years.

The Noble One by De Bortoli is considered Australia's premier dessert wine, and for obvious reasons. The wine has won countless awards at the leading wine shows around the country and has a wonderful propensity to develop even further in the bottle. The 2002 Noble One is a classic expression of the style with rich apricot treacle characters with fig and orange blossom still active on the nose and palate. Hints of vanilla bean and a refreshing acidity on the finish mean this decade old wine will continue to live in the cellar for many years more.

Cape Mentelle has a rich history of exceptional quality and consistency with Cabernet Sauvignon, from a pioneering producer in Margaret River in the early 1970s to a benchmark winery today. A full-bodied wine with intense blue and black berry preserves on entry, followed by tobacco, savoury and gamey layers, all framed by firm, ripe tannins creating a complex wine of length.

Plush and silky, Torbreck's the Sporran Shiraz is a quintessential Torbreck wine and is widely considered among their best value wines produced.

Since the early 90's, Penfolds have been producing Chardonnay from the cool climate region of Tumbarumba. The Chardonnay is elegant with white florals, stone fruits and a great acidity structure. Maturation in French Oak gives the Bin 311 a subtle nutty savoury flavour through and through. A great all season wine for all sorts of occasions.

The Torbreck Descendant has a powerful nose of blackberry and tar complemented by floral lavender and a violet lift. Full-bodied and concentrated with ripe silky tannins and plenty of extract this wine has a great future ahead.

DOMAINE MICHELE & PATRICE RION Vielles Vignes, Chambolle-Musigny

Josef Chromy is the ultimate example of the fact that its never too late to fulfil your dreams, having launched his wine label at the age of 76. Hes had great success since, as youll discover with this Riesling. In the glass: Bright pale lemon. On the nose: Tightly wound and delicate. On the palate: Pristine, dry and crisp with a lemon and lime fruit core. Really refined and precise, it has a wonderful quinine-like texture and very tight acidity that will ensure success in the cellar.

Grenache in all its glory. Red fruits proudly lead the charge: raspberries, cranberries and pomegranate. Fragrant coulis on a summer berry pudding. Ferric notes of steel wool and cordite allude to the iron-rich clay soil upon which the vines prosper in the Barossa Valley. Charcuterie aromas of Jamón ibérico and Mojama dry cured tuna notes add an interesting slightly saline nuance. Rubbed olive leaves, sumac spice and ginger peel aromas round out a very enticing nose. Disclaimer: Product may have a cork or screwcap closure