Compelling and convincing, with florals, currants and blackberries, not too sweet; it has a savoury edge, with the oak seamlessly integrated. Perfectly ripe tannins with poise and presence ensure that this is lovely now, but will be more so in years to come.

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.

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

CRAGGY RANGE WINERY Sophia Cabernet Blend, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay. Cepage includes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabnernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Deep and meaty in its expression, a fleshy and red cedar-like undertone lines the typically velvety texture. Sandown Cabernet Sauvignon by Clarendon Hills.

From premium Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the renowned Coonawarra region only the best fruit is used to produce an elegant dry red wine exhibiting intense varietal berry fruit characters and fine oak tannins.

Tyrrell's Vat 8 is the archetypal blend of tradition and modernity. With a strong history in both the Hunter Valley and Hilltops regions, Tyrrell's are able to showcase the very best in modern Australian winemaking. The Vat 8 consists of a majority Hunter Valley Shiraz the lends beauty, flavour and ripeness and a small parcel of Hilltops Cabernet which supports the Shiraz with power and structure. Elegant and pristine early, this is a wine that will enjoy some time in the cellar to further develop it already obvious complexity.