John Riddoch (1827 - 1901) is the man responsible for putting Coonawarra on the map after establishing the Coonawarra Fruit Colony in 1891. Today, Coonawarra and its famous 'terra rossa' strip of limestone rich soil is home to some of Australia's greatest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. This Riddoch Cabernet is an exciting expression of the region with its deep purple colour, spicy plum, chocolate and toasty vanillan aromas which are followed by a luscious palate of blueberry and accompanying eucalypt accented spice.

Now sourcing fruit from premium regions across Australia, this Cabernet blend shows varietal mint on the nose with floral notes in the background. The palate has good weight and texture, the flavours of blackcurrant and herb framed by firm tannins.

Giesen's Estate Chardonnay is wine that's very approachable in youth and suitable for any occasion. The fruit is sourced from a premium Hawkes Bay vineyard, producing a Chardonnay with good fruit intensity and a touch of complexity through lees contact and restrained use of oak. Sweet stone fruit and citrus aromas with excellent textural viscosity, subtle oak characters and focussed acidity on the palate. A balanced and lengthy finish rounds off an ideal NZ Chardonnay for seafood dishes.

Notes of mint and five-spice are evident on a sturdily constructed palate of black olive, herbs and dark fruits alongside fine, ripe tannins that will support the development of additional character and complexity if cellared.

McLaren Vale reds are known for generosity of fruit. Red Knot Cabernet, with it's cassis, dark berried characters and a lingering finish, has the added bonus of being terrific value for money.

Amelia Park, although a recent player in the Margaret River Wine scene, have made an astonishing impact. Jeremy Gordon takes a hands on approach to all things at his winery and the results are for everyone to see. Already a multi award-winner, the Amelia Park Cabernet Merlot is a seamless wine that is wonderfully medium-bodied with a fine acid backbone that simply sings from beginning to end.

A typically elegant Yarra Cabernet. The nose shows cassis and blackberry aromas with subtle cedary oak and the palate has a silky mouthfeel with sweet berry flavours and a lovely lingering finish.

Te Kahu is a wine of richness, with lovely black fruit flavours, hints of spice and long, fine graceful finish. From gravelly soil, it is made very much in the image of good Bordeaux.

Te Mata make some sublime Bordeaux style red wines and we've been blessed in recent years with some outstanding vintages. This years release has wonderful floral aromas with intense blackberry, currant and dark plum flavours lead to a rich supple palate with a sustained finish.

The gravelly soils and sunny climate of Hawkes Bay are producing some of New Zealand's most exciting reds. This classy Merlot from Oyster Bay shows soft spicy varietal flavours such as, juicy plums and ripe dark fruits. Accompanied by well intergraded oak and subtle tannins, making this wine one of the easier matching to food.