The vintage gods smiled ever so well on the majority of the vineyard area of South Australia during the 2008 vintage and the result are wines like this little beauty from Jamiesons Run. A brilliant wine of richness and sweetness upon release, time in our climate controlled cellars has amplified those secondary characters of herb, cedar and mocha to deliver a perfectly balanced, and affordable cellared wine.

Mildara first released wines in the late 1800's and was one of the earliest pioneers of the Coonawarra region in the 1950's. One of the most exciting wines in Dan's Cellar Release program, the 2004 Rothwell Cabernet is a wine of fierce structure, elegant balance and sheer drinkability. Classic blackcurrant, minty, toasty oak, medium bodied with a juicy pastille richness and firm tannins. Superb right now, it will evolve over many years to come.

Cleanskin #63 Coonawarra Cabernet follows the remarkable trend of our Cleanskins being far too good for the price on offer. Good varietal Cabernet with flavours of cassis, mint and baked blackcurrant. Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from the icon region for the variety does come around often. Get in!

Made from the most distinguished grapes on the Parker Estate. A beautiful blend of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Merlot.

2006 Patrick of Coonawarra Home Block Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were grown at the Toccaciu Coonawarra estate, and the wine was matured for 26 months in French and American oak; while I am not a fan of ProCork, this is a very attractive wine, which has cruised through six, rising seven, years, the cassis and cedar flavours supported by very fine but persistent tannins.

The Parker Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is made in a riper, more generous style to its peers, yet with enough restraint to display the distinct varietal and regional characteristics. Offerings of ripe blackberry and damson plums, wafts of warm earth, iodine, mint and black olives. The palate shows a lot of restraint and freshness, fuller bodied not big though with determined tannins. A solid performer not just a backup singer.

The Mythology Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to ancient practices, with its own origin embedded in the richness of the Coonawarra soils and the artistry of traditional winemaking techniques. Dense dark fruits with brilliantly aromatics of raspberries and plums, dark chocolate and vanilla bean. Full bodied with lovely tannins, complemented by well-balanced French oak and a wonderfully long structured finish.

HARDY'S Thomas Hardy Cabernet, Coonawarra, Margaret River