La Dame de Montrose, first vintage 1983, is the highly-regarded second wine of Chateau Montrose, the St. Estephe deuxième cru (second growth). Montrose has a little more than 90ha of vines, the entire site overlooking the Gironde. The vineyard is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Around 50% (or less) of the crop goes to make the grand vin and around 30% (or more) goes into La Dame de Montrose. (The rest is used elsewhere or sold in bulk.) In good years La Dame de Montrose is considered a bargain, in the best years it stands alone as a great wine. The Dame de Montrose herself is the late Yvonne Charmolüe, who ran the estate from 1944 to 1960.

This is the second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion. About 4000 cases are produced each year.

Proudly, a wine style that hasn’t succumbed to the dictates of fashion or commerce. St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters as it ages. It is matured in old, 1,460 litre vats that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character. Although a small proportion of Cabernet is sometimes used to improve structure, the focal point for St Henri remains Shiraz.

Starward’s famous single malt whisky matured in shiraz barrels. Nova is matured exclusively in red wine barrels from wineries making great Australian shiraz, cabernets and pinot noirs. This whisky reflects Melbourne in every sip. From the vibrant foodie scene to the wild weather to the world-class, cool climate wine.

HAUT BAILLY II Second wine of Chateau Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Leognan

Australia's premier sparkling winemaker, Ed Carr, produces elite sparkling wines that border on the perfection. The equal to any prestigious Champagne, House of Arras have a track record of releasing Australia's finest examples. Here the new Arras Blanc de Blancs is the latest to join the range and is a sparkling wine that truly expresses the attributes of prestige Tasmanian Chardonnay, meticulous winemaking and extensive age on yeast lees. Hands on techniques including gentle whole bunch pressing, fermentation on light lees which went through 100% malolactic and almost 10 years in tirage were employed. The wine itself is a masterpiece that possesses a brilliant clarity and ultra-fine persistent bead. Lifted citrus of grapefruit and lemon zest are complimented with buttered toast.

The Thing range is Sorby Adams' flagship Shiraz. It is sourced from a vineyard above sea level in Eden Valley. The low-yeielding crops produced wines that had rich aromas of ripe plums, black fruits and wild cherry with hints of warm spices and vanilla oak. A beautifully balanced wine with a length finish.

To retain the stylish varietal model he seeks with Shadrach, Grant Burge used a high proportion of Coonawarra fruit in 2000. Who can argue with the result! A minty complex wine, with depth and elegance.