Regarded by many as a candidate for wine of the 2009 Bordeaux vintage. A huge accolade indeed for La Mission Haut-Brion considering the quite phenomenal wines being released. The 2009 can boast a colour that is almost impenetrable and a exciting bouquet of blackberry, truffles and spicy earth. The concentration of the palate is something to behold itself. A vinosity that is hard to find elsewhere, the flavours in the mouth follow on from the nose in nice order, yet the sheer power of the wine quite extraordinary. Layers of flavours continue throughout the palate and continue well into its length. Will no doubt be in short supply as all clamour to get a piece of this Bordeaux masterpiece.

Australia's premier sparkling winemaker, Ed Carr, produces elite sparkling wines that border on the perfection. The equal to any prestigious Champagne, House of Arras have a track record of releasing Australia's finest examples. Here the new Arras Blanc de Blancs is the latest to join the range and is a sparkling wine that truly expresses the attributes of prestige Tasmanian Chardonnay, meticulous winemaking and extensive age on yeast lees. Hands on techniques including gentle whole bunch pressing, fermentation on light lees which went through 100% malolactic and almost 10 years in tirage were employed. The wine itself is a masterpiece that possesses a brilliant clarity and ultra-fine persistent bead. Lifted citrus of grapefruit and lemon zest are complimented with buttered toast.

While Chateau Latour might be proximate to the famed Leoville estate, Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases is individually distinguished for its own unique character, and regularly is called the best wine of St-Julien. Classic Las Cases wines show incredible perfume, a result of lower temperature fermentation and an adherence to around three quarters of their barrels being new oak. The 2010 is as always Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, and shows with elegance, finesse and yet a layered complexity that draws the drinker in. Potential for this wine is immense; a life of 30 to 40 years in cellar should be considered.

The Cuvée Classique is drawn predominantly from the Domaine's vines on the mid-slope of the Clos but also plots on the lower and upper parts of the vineyard. While there's certainly more depth and fruit intensity here, there's also more detail and clarity and exceptionally fine, powdery tannins that coat the tongue and drive the very long finish.

Very precise and focused with tight, sleek yet firm tannins, framing a fresh core of black fruit, gravel and tobacco. Crushed stones and tea leaves, too. Savory and medium-bodied. Driven and linear. Lots of cabernet character. Chewy tannins. Rather muscular. But polished texture. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 3% petit verdot.

Château l'Eglise-Clinet is a much sought after Domaine within the right bank district of Bordeaux and can be hard to come by. A majority blend of Merlot to Cabernet delivers a wine of subtlety and plushness and due to the properties long planted vines, the ageability is second to none in the region. After not pulling out vines after the 1956 frost, this Château can boast some of the oldest vine material in Pomerol and that evidence can be found in the 2003 bottle of l'Eglise-Clinet which is still ageing gracefully in the bottle even after a difficult vintage due to heat.

The Arômes de Pavie 2021 is the 2nd wine from Chateau Pavie and is a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc. It matures in French oak barrels, 70% of which are new French oak. In the glass the wine is a deep purple-black color. Still closed in its early years, but with some waltzing comes the lush scents of stewed black plums, black cherry compote and red and black currants. The wine further has aromas of tar, baked herbs and charcoal. On the palate, the Aromes de Pavie is full body wrapped in layers of black fruit, framed by soft tannins and tons of freshness and finishes long and earthy.

A 1st Growth of the highest order, Château Margaux is one of the original 1st growths classified in the Médoc and is arguably the most important of the region. Producing only some 33,000 cases of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaux consistently produces wines that are among the finest examples of the vintage. 2009 is regarded as one of the finest in recent memory in the region and 'normal' wines form the Margaux appellation are being heralded as truly exceptional. One can only speculate how magnificent the Château Margaux will be in 15-20 years time, if one can be patient enough!

Château Palmer is considered one of the worlds first 'Super Seconds' (although actually classified as a third growth), a term relating to the top echelon of producers that fall outside of the ancient 1st Growth classification. Margaux's Château Palmer was named after a British general who fought under Wellington. It has been stated by quite a few wine critics that this could possibly be the finest Château Palmer ever produced. An amazing claim considering how phenomenal the 2005 was and is yet to be. Masses of concentrated aromas and flavours that will keep your senses entertained for hours on end. A truly remarkable achievement that will repay the patient cellarer over the next 30 years.

A famous 5th growth Bordeaux from the classic appellation of Pauillac that has undergone many name changes over its life. Starting life as Mouton d'Armailhac before changing in 1956 to Mouton Baron Philippe which changed to Baronne to commemorate the Baron's second wife. In 1991, the Baron's daughter decided to give the Château an original name to separate it from the other Mouton's and Château d'Armailhac was born. Situated across the road from the famous Mouton, the estate is run separately, but with equal care. Wines of great concentration and intensity are produced, as one would expect from such pedigree. The 2009 is the perfect example of this with a wine of fantastic intensity and concentration. One of the finest d'Armailhac's is living memory, swathes of blueberry, roasted meats and espresso coffee characters are present early and will only further develop with careful ageing over the next 20 years.