In the winery: Matured for 20 months in new French barriques, Hungarian, French and American hogsheads. In the glass: Inky dark red. On the nose: Ripe dark fruit, a hint of mint, toasty oak and cedary development.On the palate: Intense black fruit power melding well with deluxe mocha oak a rich, dense and complex reserve style with tight, grainy tannins and spicy acidity.

HAUT BAILLY II Second wine of Chateau Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Leognan

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.

Grosset Gaia Cabernet is one distinguished CabernetBring it on! By Gaia standards, its plump and plush with sweet fruit, rich dark chocolate and tannin presence. Gaia is always a wonderful long-term cellaring option, as is the case with the '08, but this vintage the added bonus of up front fruit enables immediate enjoyment.

While mainly known for his extraordinary Chardonnay, Dave Bicknell's Cabernet's continue to fly under the radar of most when thinking of Victoria's greatest cool-climate red wines. This is great for those who wish to keep this little secret a secret for a while longer, but rest assured word will get out as the purity and power of this 864 Cab is something to behold. Minimal, but expert techniques are employed to deliver a Cabernet that is built for the long haul, yet is wonderfully enjoyable in its youth.

Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is vibrant and robust with great balance from the bouquet of ripe forest fruits and violet on the nose; A refined structure of tannins, oak use and the acidity on the palate; All are great indications of a wine that would benefit from careful bottle maturation for many years to come.

Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful example of well established wineries in the Western Australian wine scene with access to some amazing vineyards sites within the Margaret River. On show here are marvelous aromas and flavours of bay leaf, black tea and some spicy mocha notes. Excitingly dense on palate with harmonious oak balance and impressive acidity. A brilliant wine.

Voyager Estate has quickly earned itself a seat at the head of the table in Australia when it comes to elegant, and classic Cabernet. Appealing aromas of ripe blackcurrant chocolate and that distinctive Margaret River forest floor character. The palate is powerful yet balanced with concentrated red berry fruits. The Voyager Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is a magnificent wine to lay down for a decade or more and will repay the patient in spades.