Delicious classic Aussie blend of Cabernet Shiraz blend from Aussie wine legend, Ben Glaetzer, who fell for the region of Langhorne Creek a few years ago. Barossa Valley legend Ben Glaetzer grew up in wine, his father Colin was winemaker at Seppelt, and his uncle is John Glaetzer, head winemaker at Wolf Blass for over 30 years. After graduating from Adelaide University’s Roseworthy campus, and a spell at Tyrrell’s, Ben went on to win a number of honours and titles as winemaker of Glaetzer wines. The Heartland story began in the late 1990’s when Ben became excited about the outstanding quality of fruit being grown in some of South Australia’s lesser-known regions, in particular Langhorne Creek, where he explored thoroughly along with some winemaking friends. Today Heartland sources all of its fruit exclusively from Langhorne Creek and makes mainly red wines. Ben makes them 100km away at his state of the art Barossa Vintners winery in Tanunda.

A Gold, 92pt beauty. Château La Clarière is blessed with 50 different vineyard plots, all ideally situated on the superb limestone plateau from where both Saint-Emilion and Castillon’s finest wines hail. However, the grapes from the Enclos single vineyard, literally five metres from Saint-Emilion’s priciest Grands Crus Classés, have always been kept separate. It’s a vineyard surrounded by hedgerows, shrubs and dotted with trees – its most biodiverse; farmed organically too. All Merlot, carefully fermented on the estate, with regular plunge down and a year’s ageing in part new and part seasoned French oak barrels, it’s a very fine, velvety claret. Open early and preferably decant. It will make a very handsome partner to roast red meats or a cheeseboard.

Elegant (and utterly delicious) White Burgundy from a fine family domaine, established in 1909 by Joseph Matrot, and today run by the third generation, Elsa and Adèle Matrot. They are renowned as “a top-class Meursault producer” (Wine International), while Neal Martin wrote, "great wines are being made at this address". The sisters, like their father before them, believe in using oak sparingly in order to express “the quintessence of terroir” (La Revue du Vin de France). They let the fruit do the talking. The result is a portfolio of Burgundies that are intensely flavoured, pure tasting, with excellent ageing potential. In 2023, they discarded 25% of their grapes which has taken quality even higher. Certainly one of the finest producers of Burgundy.

Pour a glass of this versatile, excellently balanced and very approachable Chardonnay from the team at McPhersons Wines, for friends, and the chances are you'll both be back for a second glass! Andrew McPherson has been in the industry for decades, he grew up in the world of wine and went on to work for some top names in Austalia before settling down to craft really characterful, great value wines like this one, under his own name. The team at McPherson Wines produce an excellent range across a diverse range of styles. "... they represent very good value across a range of labels. Winemaker Jo Nash has been at the helm for many years and co-owner Alistair Purbrick (Tahbilk) has a lifetime of experience in the industry. Quality is unfailingly good." (Halliday).

Another very attractive release from the hugely dynamic Zonte's Footstep. An Adelaide Hills Shiraz with TWO Double Golds "...offering excellent drinking. 92pts” (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit). He adds that it is: “Sweetly fruited with complexity, the wine exhibits aromas of black and blueberry, star anise, floral notes, and hazelnut on the nose. The palate is equally satisfying with a plump mouthfeel backed by fleshy texture and supple tannins, offering excellent drinking. 92pts” (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit).

Bold and mighty Cabernet from RedHeads and the sustainable winery in the heart of the Barossa where their wines are made. This is a revival of the once very popular Pinball label. RedHeads has always been a bit of a rebel! The ‘movement’ started in 2002 in the McLaren Vale – in a cellar (complete with Pinball machines) where young winemakers could come in their spare time and make just the sort of small-scale wine they dreamed of (not like they did in their day job). Since then, the winery has moved home a few times, and today make their wines in the Barossa, at one of Australia's leading eco-friendly cellars. There, surrounded by many of Australia's biggest wine names, they handcraft revolutionary wines from top batches of grapes, rescued from under the noses of the big players.

Help yourself to a big satisfying mouthful of dark fruit flavour with this moreish Durif, but the MO is more about momentum – the winemaker seizing the moment and riding the wave – and then enjoying the results when things align in their favour! Sip this big hearted Durif and you'll quickly get the idea.

The Prospera displays a dark ruby-red colour tinted with a crimson rim. On the nose, the aromas are brimming with plentiful ripe fruits of cherry and strawberry, followed by fine spices and florals. The palate presents a fruit-driven wine with characters of fresh cherry and juicy plum, ascended by hints of cinnamon and liquorice.