Château Margaux is a 1er Cru Classé (first growth) estate of Bordeaux. The Grand Vin is renowned for its enthralling perfumed elegance, finesse and layered complexity. A Cabernet Sauvignon blend with a minor component of Merlot and a smattering of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, fermentation occurs in oak vats followed by maturation in 100% new barrels for approximately 22 months. Since its acquisition in 1978 by the Mentzelopoulos family, the quality and international reputation of Château Margaux has soared to even greater heights.

Chateau Canon shows no shy and retiring character in 2010, set to a naturally ripe and high 15% alcohol. Though power and density is a motif in 2010, there is a surprising suppleness in this wine, born from central St-Emillion vineyards and the same family of wine as Chateau Rauzan-Segla of Margaux. Almost evenly split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc usually, it''s three quarters Merlot in 2010; the wine matures in oak barrel for 18 months, with around 70% of those offering new wood character. While dense and compact, there is a succulence to the wine that suggests cellaring to two decades would be apt.

Château La Fleur Pétrus is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant red blend. Vintage 2010 has the great balance between the intensity of the fruits, acidity and oak flavour. Ripe black fruits and jammy cherries with a hint of meaty back tone. Full body with pronounced tannins, elegantly put together. Perfect for those who love to cellar their reds.

Certified biodynamic, the Cullen Vanya is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon complemented by 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in new French oak of which 50% was new for a period of 19 months. Totally opaque dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Intense but beautifully refined the nose offers up aromas of blackcurrant and mulberry laced with cedar and tobacco characters followed by hints of cigar box, faint bay leaf and spice. Medium weight the palate is the perfect marriage of richness, elegance and power delivering sublime flavours of blackcurrant, ripe mulberry and dark cherries seamlessly integrated with cedar, tobacco and spice characters. Exquisite finesse with exceptionally fine grained, polished tannins. Very long after-taste of blackcurrant, ripe mulberry, cedar faint tobacco, cigar box and spice that seems to sail on forever.

In the upper echelon of 2nd Growth estates, Chateau Cos D''Estournel is located in St-Estephe appelltion, on the fringe of Paulliac and notably just north of the famed Lafite vineyards. Tourists flock to the Medoc estate to see the unusual, Asian-inspired Chateau design, but the wines hold their own and rightfully are considered the finest within St-Estephe. Oak is set to around 80% new barrels while alcohol is a modest 14.5%; the blend in 2010 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Merlot and complimentary Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in tow. A wine for thirty or so years.

The flagship of the Torbreck stable. Recently been elevated to 'Exceptional' status in Langton's Fine Wine Classification, it is a wine of utmost power and density. Famous for rich concentration and opulent power, this exceptional Australian Shiraz is as popular abroad as it is at home. Definitely one to place in the cellar and simply forget about - let the patience reward you over 10 or more years time.

Standing out from the crowd with its distinctive yellow/brown label, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou was the first second growth producer to break away from the crowd and start to attract higher prices and create the

Regarded by many as a candidate for wine of the 2009 Bordeaux vintage. A huge accolade indeed for La Mission Haut-Brion considering the quite phenomenal wines being released. The 2009 can boast a colour that is almost impenetrable and a exciting bouquet of blackberry, truffles and spicy earth. The concentration of the palate is something to behold itself. A vinosity that is hard to find elsewhere, the flavours in the mouth follow on from the nose in nice order, yet the sheer power of the wine quite extraordinary. Layers of flavours continue throughout the palate and continue well into its length. Will no doubt be in short supply as all clamour to get a piece of this Bordeaux masterpiece.