This outstanding red wine is a quite recent expression of Argiano's viticultural potential in relation to red wines made with Sangiovese. Solengo, which is Tuscan for one wild boar, is the product of the combination between Tuscan soil and French grape-varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Syrah. It is the fruit of the creation of the internationally acclaimed former oenologist Giacomo Tachis, which now continues with the work of Argiano's team.

This beautiful Four Winds Sangiovese shows a deep purple-red colour. The aromatic bouquet exhibits vibrant scents of cherries, strawberries, cinnamon, plum and dried spices. These fragrances are reflected on the rich palate, where they are joined by cherry, raspberry and blackberry undertones. Savoury tannins drive the lush palate to a lingering finish. Made for consumption upon release, this delicious Sangiovese has the potential to be cellared for 5 to 7 years. Suggested food pairings include gnocchi with sage and butter sauce, roasted pork and three-cheese baked pasta.

Dry, pleasant and vinous. Fresh bouquet with flowers notes. Ideal with roasted meats, red grilled meats and hard cheeses.

Winemaker Justin Bubb splits his year between Tasmania (Pooley Wines) and Tuscany, where he makes a delicious collection of wines under the Babo label. There are a couple of firsts here; this is the first Chianti to be bottled under screwcap and it's one of the first to be bottled in a Burgundy bottle as opposed to the traditional Claret shape (for the Fiasco wicker bottle!) For this Chianti-Beaujolais hybrid, Justin has employed whole berry fermentation with roughly 30% carbonic maceration, simply fermented and then raised in concrete vats for six months. It's a wonderfully bright and aromatic Sangiovese with notes of raspberry and red cherry, good texture and lightweight tannins, with sappy acidity and a thirst quenching finish.

Cerretalto is a single vineyard Brunello from one of the very best sites in the region. The wine is made only in exceptional years when the quality of fruit warrants. The best fruit from the site is hand harvested, sorted, destemmed and crushed before undergoing wild yeast fermentation in open vats. The temperature controlled fermentation lasts 3-4 weeks and then the wine is transferred to oak barrels for 31 months followed by a further 30 months in bottle. The wine is kept back in the winery for 6 years before release.

Saracosa is inspired by the ‘Super Tuscans’ – a style first developed in the 1970s. These wines kickstarted the region’s renaissance and became some of the most exclusive and expensive in the world. Saracosa is from the Barbanera family estate, where half the vineyards are in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, and the remainder just beyond. In the 5-Star 2017 vintage Saracosa’s old vines delivered exceptional concentration. Dense, dark cherry and chocolatey tones make this a serious choice for pasta with pork ragù or bistecca alla fiorentina (steak with cannellini beans in tomato sauce).

CASTELLO DI VOLPAIA Coltassala Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico DOCG

Bright cherry red. Sweet red cherries on the nose with hints of thyme, fennel and dried bay leaf. Mouth-filling tannins with sweet red cherry flavours and a hint of spice on the finish. Chargrilled eye fillet. The fruit was machine harvested into 2.5t steel bins, transported directly to the winery for immediate processing. Crushed to static fermenters it was pumped over twice a day for approximately 20mins each time. During which time the temperature and acid levels were monitored constantly and adjusted when necessary, after completing fermentation the wine was pressed to tank using an air bag press. It was racked off gross lees directly to barrel to finish malolactic fermentation and mature in mainly older used barriques. The barrels were checked and topped each month. Tar & Roses home is in Nagambie Central Victoria and produces wines inspired by classic varietals from the Mediterranean and was named after the signature characteristics of Nebbiolo. The name also ties back to the winemaking team behind the venture, the legendary Don Lewis and his winemaking partner Narelle King. Following the passing of Don in 2017 this represents the final vintage of his great career with Narelle now carrying on the Tar & Roses tradition in 2018 and beyond. Tar & Roses produce one of Australia's leading Pinot Grigios known for its characteristic dusty pink colour. Tar & Roses sources the majority of red fruit from areas across central Victoria such as Heathcote, an ideal region for Italian and Spanish varietals and classic "Australian" Shiraz.