Woodlands Cabernet Merlot 2010 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Redolence and vibrance, purity of fruit with outstanding balance, a palate of juicy plum, boysenberries and cherry chastened by the tenderest oak. A memorable, mouthfilling indulgence and an experience not to be missed.

Alkoomi White Label Shiraz 2009 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Lives up to everything you'd expect to find in the realm of stylish WA Shiraz.

Mount Pleasant Philip Shiraz 2008 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Return to basics, Philip is honest, dependable. Dark brooding tannins and chewy, gummy fruit characters of boysenberry and black jube, currant and pepper. Game, set and match with good food to be sure, a winner with lamb, kangaroo or duck.

Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz 2009 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Built like a dream with the sleekest tannins and highly polished vanilla/ cedar/ chocolate oak. Mulberries and cassis, soy beans, kalamata and plum, finishes to lasting impressions of bright red cherries, musty old cigarboxes and complex, animated spice.

Yalumba Organic Shiraz 2011 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

No I protested, I won't like this, it's probably good for you - so an epiphany? You bet, preconceptions dashed, substantial complexity over a generous, spiced mouthful of tightly integrated fruit and inspiring tannins before a splendid, lingering finish.

Wirra Wirra Angelus Cabernet 2007 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Exhibit A in the case for Wirra Wirra, a vigorous cabernet sauvignon with velvet textures and congenial tannins, profuse with red and black fruits, a halo of polished, judicious oak and generously lingering finish. A wine of exceptional balance and exemplary regional/ varietal definition.

Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2007 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

A foxy wine with chewy, cherry fruit and masquerading tannins that work with just an inuendo of oak to enunciate the charm and virtue of extra fine McLaren Vale Shiraz. Pepper and plum in a purse of sweet leather lined by choco oak, garnished by mint, sen-sen and fully aromatic, exotic spice.

Schild Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Velvety textures, good support from the grippy tannins and attractive spice-led oak. More than ample dark berries and tasty fruits along the way to its fully integrated, seamless finish.

Kirrihill Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Clare Valley offers arguably Australia's most tender Cabernet wines. There is no compromise here however in terms of vibrancy and solid varietal expression. A fully fragrant effort with luscious dark fruits and pliant, suede tannins.

Langmeil The Freedom Shiraz 2004 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

The definition of refinement, how these parched and ruddy old vines can yield such an agreeable young wine is a wonder. Opaque, a massive entry of impenetrable fruit, followed by notions of raisin and earth, cherries and pitch. Dignified, poised and inspiring.

Evans Tate Gnangara Cabernet Merlot 2010 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

A well formed wine, the plummyness of the merlot takes turns with the cassis of cabernet, playing musical chairs to the background melody of blackcurrant/ pastille notes, spiced complexity and charry oak.

Rouge Homme Cabernet Merlot 2009 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Polished, ripe and generous, spiced berry and choc/ vanilla aromatics with whisps of violet and creme de cassis presage a suitably complex palate. Tannins, oak and impenetrable layers of bramble fruit, all firmly at the wheel.

Paringa Estate Shiraz 2008 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Black berries and marmalade upfront, cloves and pepper, fresh fruit aromas of cherry and red floral. The palate kept sober by pastoral earth and char characters which conjure up memoirs of Mornington. Essential plums and spice within a grail of well presented oak and settled, accomodating tannins.

Tassell Park Cabernet Merlot 2008 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Mulberries, currant and regional leaf over a sufficiently drying palate of brittle tannins, gorgeous french vanilla oak and dusty, old world, bouquet-garni finish.

Gracebrook King Valley Shiraz 2008 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Leaves many behind in it's wake of flowing plum and spice, coconut oak and bright fragrances of violet, currant and pepper. A delight on it's own and merits accompaniement to the finest wagyu beef.

Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlot 2009 / ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Complex yet impeccably integrated, surrounded by the most soothing of oak treatments, graceful, suavely European in styling.