While Chateau Latour might be proximate to the famed Leoville estate, Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases is individually distinguished for its own unique character, and regularly is called the best wine of St-Julien. Classic Las Cases wines show incredible perfume, a result of lower temperature fermentation and an adherence to around three quarters of their barrels being new oak. The 2010 is as always Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, and shows with elegance, finesse and yet a layered complexity that draws the drinker in. Potential for this wine is immense; a life of 30 to 40 years in cellar should be considered.

"Cabernet Sauvignon 77%, Merlot 19.5%, Cabernet Franc 3%, and Petit Verdot 0.5% This is Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy’s first solo vintage here after Philippe Dhalluin’s retirement. The proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon is up again; there’s more of an architectural feel than usual. The grand vin had a much stricter selection, so some of its historic parcels are now in this blend. This feels very Cabernet-driven, with notes of lead pencil contributing to a sturdy, spicy bouquet. The tannins are certainly ripe, adding a sense of restraint. This will become quite an interesting wine, presenting a different facet than usual, although it’s not one to be kept very long-term."

Château Figeac is a wine estate that had a very long history. It was once part of the Cheval Blanc estate, whichs soils was well known to be two-thirds of gravel, allowing Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Merlot to grow flourishingly in the area. The 2010 Figeac, had a beautiful complexity to enjoy now or the longevity to cellar for those who prefers. Wine will benefit from decanting.

Château Palmer is considered one of the worlds first 'Super Seconds' (although actually classified as a third growth), a term relating to the top echelon of producers that fall outside of the ancient 1st Growth classification. Margaux's Château Palmer was named after a British general who fought under Wellington. It has been stated by quite a few wine critics that this could possibly be the finest Château Palmer ever produced. An amazing claim considering how phenomenal the 2005 was and is yet to be. Masses of concentrated aromas and flavours that will keep your senses entertained for hours on end. A truly remarkable achievement that will repay the patient cellarer over the next 30 years.

Bin 707 is a Cabernet Sauvignon reflection of Grange, intensely-flavoured fruit, completion of fermentation and maturation in new oak, expressing a Penfolds understanding of multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit sourcing. Bin 707 was first vintaged in 1964. The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 when fruit was directed to other wines, nor in 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003 or 2011 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available). Full bodied and with proven cellaring potential, Bin 707 retains a secure place among the ranks of Australias finest Cabernets.

As often happens with Calvert, the nose when young is slightly muted and more direct than exotic; pure and fine aromas, not bold and lush. The palate follows on accordingly, with clarity of fruit, roses and florals. Focussed, concentrated yet pure in the mid-palate, with its hallmark mineral texture, its firm but ultimately juicy on the finish. The vines are growing up and were seeing the puppy-fat turn to muscle.

Torbrecks flagship wine, The Laird Shiraz is only produced in exceptional years. The fruit comes from one of the finest Shiraz sites in the Barossa valley; the dry grown Gnadenfrei vineyard dating from 1958. Matured for 36 months in special French barriques coopered by Dominique Laurent, the Laird is the ultimate expression of ultra-concentrated single vineyard Barossa Shiraz.

MAYACAMAS VINEYARDS Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Not much has changed by way of production since Bob Travers started the Mayacamas estate in the early 1940s. The fruit is handpicked early, often in early September - abvs usually end up between 13 and 14 percent to preserve natural, altitude derived acidities. Fermentations occur predominantly in open-top cement vessels which were built in the 1950s, again to preserve acidities and vibrant fruit character. Extended ageing occurs exclusively in neutral oak some as old as 100 years typically for three years which allows the vineyard's expression to shine through the powerful fruit profile, while also minimising oxygenation and helping to maintain the powerful and tight tannin structure Mayacamas is so famous for. The wines then usually spend a further two years in bottle before it is ready to be released to the market. Mayacamas make wines that lie in stark contrast to the more prevalent rich, heavily oaked, high in abv, bombastic wines that are common in the Napa Valley.