Award winning wines have been the modus operandi for the Tate family since the mid-70s. That pedigree and know-how can be tasted in this bottle of hand crafted Margaret River Cabernet Merlot. Regional notes of bay leaf, eucalypt and dry, tannins are supported by a lush and vibrant blue and black fruit backbone that continues on the palate for what seems like a lifetime. Absolutely delicious.

Simply a wine of true perfection. 2009 in Bordeaux has bestowed many a Châteaux with a wine for the ages and in iconic estates like Château Haut-Brion, the wines have been lifted to 'nirvana-ish' levels. One wouldn't be adverse to simply sitting on the nose of this wine for hours without having a want to taste it such is the complexity and aromatic waves that are present. In the mouth though, this Pessac-Léognan boasts flavours of cigar, raspberries, plums, figs and blueberries with a finish that seems to go on for decades. Breathtakingly stunning.

Bimbadgen Ridge Shiraz Cabernet Merlot is a medium bodied wine that combines the firm fruity characters of Shiraz with the length and finish of Cabernet and soft fleshy Merlot.

Pete Bissell from Balnaves consistently produces Cabernet of highest order and this little beauty that falls under the $20 mark is just perfect as a cellar starter. Gentle mintiness on the nose. Dusty tannins frame a fantastic medium weighted structured wine. Lovely fruit intensity terrific with BBQ lamb or all on its own.

Deep purple in colour, this Merlot has an attractive nose of ripe red berries and cassis. The palate is soft and generous with plenty of sweet, juicy flavours. Great drinking and a great price!

Leconfield Merlot has big and juicy dark fruits, soft tannins all supported by lovely French oak. Paul Gordon continues to produce a serious Merlot for a great price, year in, year out. His Merlot is also one that will benefit from a little sit in the medium term cellar.

Two words come to mind when you mention great Australian Merlot. Jim Irivne. Jim's Grand Merlot is the benchmark of complex and elegant Merlot in Australia and his Eden Valley vineyards are the perfect place to produce this iconic wine.

The warm even climate of the Murphy family's Trentham vineyard is ideally suited to producing rich softly textured Merlot with toasty oak and berry flavours - great with lamb!

A pioneer of Merlot, James Irvine has produced an attractive plump style with leafy plum and mulberry flavours. The perfect match with crown of lamb.

Woodlands Cabernet Merlot is one of the regions best examples. The Watson brothers are the custodians of a family heritage in Margaret River that continues to this day. The Cabernet Merlot has attractive and complex aromas of dark berry and plum supported by well integrated vanillin oak. The palate shows similar characters with outstanding length of flavour and perfect balance. Drink now or cellar short term.