Bright plum in colour, Penfolds Bin 169 Cabernet Sauvignon displays delicate notes of mint and blackcurrant, with a more savory bouquet of semi-dried tomatoes and fruit chutney at the end. A hint of oak and spice adds extra warmth. On the palate a flavour-wheel of spearmint, milo powder, chocolate and black liquorice.

Felton Road is responsible for putting Central Otago on the world Pinot Noir map. Producing some of the new world's greatest Pinot's, the winery's Block 5 is no exception to the richly textured, polished style. Full of fine dark tannin and subtle hints of spice, the fruit somewhat takes a back sit into the darkness. A few years in the cellar will no doubt open this beautiful wine up.

The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a deep and vibrant ruby red with aromas of dried red fruits and dried wild herbs. The palate experience is intense with a complex weave of red fruit and spice, a little strawberry and aniseed jam. The palate doesn’t let up for a long time and it’s structural, with the acidity and tannins pointing to a long and steady future. Made with 100% Sangiovese (selected from their oldest vines and only in the best years), the juice is allowed to macerate on skins for 30-35 days and fermented at a controlled temperature followed by spontaneous MLF (malolactic fermentation), both stages in cone-shaped Slavonian oak casks. The wine is then racked off into 10 to 25 hectolitre Slavonian oak casks for a period of around 40 months prior to being bottle-aged for at least 15 months. 'An estate that has been on a roll of late with super-elegant wines.' Antonio Galloni

Domaine Huet L'Echansonne is the leading producer in the Vouvray region of the Loire Valley. It is known for its range of Chenin Blanc wines from that appellation, which are prized for their richness and concentration as well as their great ability to age.

Gravel soils make up the primary soil type at Château l'Evangile which is consistent with most of Bordeaux's right bank region of Pomerol. Merlot is the variety of choice in the blend with Cabernet Sauvignon to create a wine full of plushness, vibrant aromatics and smooth, lingering finish. The 2009 vintage was wonderfully kind of all of Bordeaux and Pomerol was no exception with the l'Evangile producing a wine of plushness and warmth as well as one of concentration and power. A classic Pomerol.

As usual, the 2017 RunRig is approximately 2% Viognier. It spent almost 30 months in oak, 40% of which was new. Hints of peach or apricot appear on the nose, alongside notes of hickory smoke, cherries and baking spices. It's full-bodied and concentrated but supple and silky enough to seem lighter in the mouth, showing tremendous length and elegance on the finish, where it adds nuances of cinnamon and cocoa. Rating: 98/100.