Dalwhinnie vineyard was planted to a unique topographical amphitheatre which precipitates its own meso climate. The site is totally frost free and allows fruit to reach complete physiological ripeness in nine out of ten years. This rare confluence of temperate climes, cooler altitudes and parched Pyrenees soils, sublimate into one of Australia's most enduring and distinctive styles of Cabernet Sauvignon. A stunning wine, the overall impression is of ripe pure black fruits, layered with rich dark chocolate and seasoned by notes of violet and camphor.

Vintage 2004 represents twenty consecutive years of fine tuning within the vineyard and throughout the entire winemaking operation. Moonambel 2004 offers a palate and nose of exceptional depth and finesse, rating amongst the finest editions of Cabernet that Dalwhinnie have ever made. The style is fleshier than previous releases, bearing more fruit and tannin, endowed with great freshness and magnificent structure.

Dalwhinnie is sited on the most magnificent Shiraz growing terrains. Eagle Shiraz is crafted to traditional Rhone winemaking techniques, foot crushing, whole bunch ferments, extended skin contact and maximum lees contact. The Eagle is a super concentration of unique aromas and flavours, which can only be achieved through some unconventional vinifications. Eagle Shiraz is treated to a traditional Italian basket press and eighteen months in small French oak barriques, Eagle Shiraz evolves sleek, fine tannins and superb integration.

Ever since inaugural release of vintage 1986, the splendid Dalwhinnie Eagle Series Vineyard has been recognized as an exceptional effort from a truly distinguished site. The property was first planted to Shiraz in 1977, the vineyard is completely dry grown, barely more than a hectare in size. Vines grow to a relatively wide 3.4 x 1.8 metre grid, on ancient sedimentary soils and bony quartz shale outcrops. The unique aspects of this elevated property at 385 metres above sea level, coupled with meticulous hand picking and hand pruning yields the most precious fruit.

Swansea is a favourite destination on Tasmania's east coast, renowned for its warm dry holiday season. Less than a kilometre from the sea, Dalrymple's block of Pinot Noir clones MV6 and 115 are planted to a sunny northern slope of basalt soils, overlooking the panoramic vistas of Great Oyster Bay down towards Freycinet Peninsula. A mix of whole bunch and destemmed fruit are treated to a week of ferments and frequent plungings, followed by fill to seasoned and new French oak barriques for malolactic and ten months maturation.

From a single block of low vigor Pinot Noir MV6 clone, just east of the small central highlands town of Ouse at the very heart of the apple isle in Derwent River Valley. A place of low rainfalls and drying winds, sunny days and cooling nights. A combination of destemmed and whole bunch fruit are treated to a wild indigenous ferment and frequent pumpovers, followed by pressing into a high proportion of new French oak barriques. An august style of Pinot Noir with the structure and substance to match with lamb, game meats and dark meat fowl.

Coal River Valley is most conspicuous for disappointingly low rainfall and punishingly dry winds. Dalrymple conducted an exhaustive search of the region to find a choice site offering excellent moisture retention under the lee of protective trees. A mix of whole bunch and destemmed grapes are treated to a week of wild indigenous yeast ferments and frequent pumpovers, drained and pressed to an extravagantly high proportion of new French oak hogsheads for a term of age. A beguilingly beautiful wine, open before service and allow the layers of complexity to unravel.

Cottage Block is well sheltered from the cool north westerly winds of Pipers River, a slightly warmer microclime which produces small yields of intensely flavoured berries. Most of the harvest is destemmed, macerated and hand plunged, racked to a high proportion of new French oak barriques for malolactic and ten months maturation. The best barrels are treated to a further sixteen months before release. Darkly spiced beetroot and rhubarb, a firm tannin framework underpins refined acidity, a conspicuous freshness and vibrant lift to the finish and magnificent length.

Langton's Exceptional Classification. Diana Madeline is one of Australia's great icon wines, crafted from fruit grown to one of Margaret River's earliest sites. The vines, planted in 1971, provide a scant two tons per acre, yielding grapes of amazing concentration. Cullen have returned to the old world practice of basket pressing. To their delight, they have found that this leads to the extraction of only the finest tannins. A stately construct in statuesque Bordeaux styling, deeply coloured, the extraordinary depth of flavour reflects an outstanding quality of fruit.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. This is one of the great years for Diana Madeline. The outstanding quality reflects a combination of excellent seasonal conditions that existed for all red grape varieties during the lead up to vintage 2007 and the benefits of employing the most exacting biodynamic practices. The requisite Medoc cepage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, for a wine of imposing stature, eminence and grace.

The vines at Crawford River were planted from the ground up, with a view to realizing minimal harvests of world class fruit. The auspicious site was originally used for grazing, established to viticulture in 1975, it was generations of cattle and sheep which prepared the land for winegrowing. A rare confluence of soils, limestones, friable basalts and ancient alluvials, form a terroir that's heaven sent for Cabernet Sauvignon. Finely boned, muscular and statuesque, a flagship Victorian effort to rival her siblings from the most regal Cabernet appellations in the world.

Pierre de Beaucastel appropriated a plot of land for himself which extended fifty two saumees at Coudoulet on the Cotes du Rhone in 1549. A tradition of fine winemaking continued at Chateau Beaucastel for centuries until 1909 when management passed to Pierre Perrin, a scientist and entrepreneur who established one of the preeminent cartels of the region. Quality of fruit, the most palatable wines and sustainable methodologies remain the focus at Beaucastel, who have used no chemical fertilisers or pesticides in their vineyards since 1964.

From the dry grown, organically farmed Calgardup vineyard, just two kilometres inland from Redgate Beach. An essential part of the making requires a fastidious sorting of fruit, every grape has to pass the test, before being added to a large French oak vat for a course of natural indigenous yeast ferments. Followed by a term in seasoned barriques to retain the primacy of fruit. Designed to express the pristine and vibrant coastal climes, Corymbia actually tastes of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, the dirt and the sea without pretention, Margaret River at its most eloquent and most vibrant.

Saline winds, maritime climes and sea shell soils, all conspire to achieve the ultimate Rhône styled Syrah. Bellarine Peninsula was identified by Swiss pioneers as a place of auspicious viticulture in the mid nineteenth century, Scotchmans Hill have established superb vineyards over the very terroirs of the colonial winegrowers. Lithe with pepper, elegant fruit and graceful tannins, this is the flagship Shiraz of the Scotchman, sourced from an elite block of Bellarine vine and fashioned for long lived excellence, ideally alongside a fond of delicately braised veal, truffles and morel.

Single vineyard Pinot Noir, the Grand Cru du Bellarine. Hand picked bunches of fruit are de stemmed to small open fermenters for several days of cold soak and wild indigenous yeast vinification, hand plunged daily and pressed to oak barrel at complete dryness, followed by a course of malolactic and fifteen months maturation. The top cut of fruit from the Scotchman's Hill tally of superior vine, redolent of dark berries, forest floor and spiced cedar oak, Pinot of power, concentrated, structured and defined, a weighty palate of persistence, polish and aplomb.

Coriole was first developed by Geoffrey Kay, a distant relative of the Amery Vineyard Kays. Dr Hugh Lloyd GP sewed the vines which produce Mary Kathleen during a period when the fashion was to plant in contours around the local Seaview highlands. Named after the estate's matriarch, Mary Kathleen is crafted from three small blocks, originally planted in the 1960s. Perennially lauded and famously received, Mary Kathleen is generously mouthfilling with sweet fruit, earthy regional hints and complex spice.

Excellent Langtons Classification. Hugh Lloyd founded Coriole in 1967, his eponymously labelled flagship Shiraz is harvested off a single estate vineyard which yields tiny berries of the greatest intensity. Established 1919 by by the dauntless and seminal Geoffrey Kay, it is one of Australia's grand old vineyards, the wizzened old vines were originally planted in curiously winding arcs around the slopes and undulations of the property, presenting a spectacular panorama of a marvelous old vineyard.

The greater Rioja D.O.C is divided into the superior winegrowing appellations Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. Each region and vineyard expresses different terroirs and clime. The high altitude Rioja Alta is known for fruit of remarkable acidity and sound structure for ageing. Rioja Alavesa produces wines with a wonderful finesse and elegance of character. The estate of Martínez Bujanda maintains a spectacular legacy of vineyards within the most prestigious precincts. Treated to an extended term of age in a selection of the finest French and American oak barriques.

By one of the most consequential winemakers in the greater Canberra GUI, crafted from Shiraz grown to mature vines at Kyeema, on an elevated granite saddle near Murrumbateman. Reserve Shiraz has enjoyed a series of compelling national trophy wins, including Best Red Sydney Royal Wine Show. Beautifully ripe on the palate, a wine of impressive length, combines intensity and vibrancy with the spice, perfume and elegant structure that are identifiable hallmarks of an exceptional vineyard.

Founded by the nation's most renowned wine industry savant, Coldstream Hills is as fastidious today under the stewardship of its highly respected winemakers, as it was in the halcyon days of the emergent Yarra Valley boutique wineries. Vintage conditions permitting, Coldstream Hills releases a special Reserve edition in excruciatingly restricted quantities, assembled from the most exceptional barrels of superior Cabernet Sauvignon. The intensive handling of this princely Cuvée includes the extravagance of new French oak ferments, followed by the luxury of extended maturation.

Clos Figueras retain some of the oldest vineyards in Priorat, Serras del Priorat is a compilation of younger vine harvests, fifteen or so years of age, fashioned into a more fruit driven style for approachability, while remaining eloquent of the excellence and sophistication which define Priorat wines. A seamless, well rounded cépage, half Grenache, the balance in Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Syrah, redolent with the perfumes of the region, tightly wound around a core of berry lozenge characters, supported by a chamois of smooth, savoury tannins.

When Charlotte and Christopher Cannan acquired Figueras in 1997, the primary attraction of the estate was a block of old Cariñena and Grenache vines, surrounded by an endowment of fallow terraces which beckoned to be brought back to productive health. Two decades later, the younger plantings of Cabernet, Mourvedre and Syrah are now fully mature, grown to grueling llicorella soils, capable of only the most frugal yields, picked by hand and treated to traditional open vat ferments, the fruit of a remarkable region which has been making wine for millennia.

Cariñena and Garnacha are the topical red wine grapes of Priorat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are commonly included to create a structured, complex style. The soils here tend to be parched and stony, perfect for punishing the vines and intensifying flavour in the grapes. Fruit is all picked by hand into twenty kilograms boxes and poured over the sorting table. Parcels are vinified in a collection of good old fashioned 2500 litres oaken vats and pigeaged by hand, before filling to well seasoned 500 litres French kogsheads and puncheons for a course of timely maturation.

Vinified from the fruit of auspicious vines, established 1998 around an eminent block of ancient Cariñena and Garnacha. The soils here are unique, plantings are exposed to the temperate Mediterranean winds of Ebro Valley, brisk, envigorating breezes which extend the ripening season and encourage grapes to form remarkable esters. Font de la Figuera is the second growth from Clos Figueras, a wonderfully complex cépage of Cabernet and Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre and Shiraz, seamless and intense, cossetted by lithe, silken tannins.

Julius Caesar was born a Spaniard, he probably enjoyed the wines of Priorat at a time when ancient Romans built the very terraces which now yield Font de la Figuera. This majestic viticultural paradise was devastated by phylloxera and abondoned by agricuturalists in the nineteenth century. Rediscovered by fine wine enthusiasts and re established to productive vineyards in the 1980s, it delivers vintages of the most exquisite Grenache blends in the world. Layered with licorice and the seasoning of Mediterranean spice, a penetrating wine, seamless, stately and refined.

The surrounds of Clos Figueras have been farmed since Roman colonization. There are groves of productive olive trees on the estate, some are centuries of age and yield the most delicious fruit. The original block of vines are also age unknown, returned to life after a period of disuse, they are now source to a Grenache Carignan accord of opulence and humbling virtue. Fermented in the luxury of completely new French oak casks, pigeaged by hand and treated to an extended maceration on skins, followed by a year's maturation in a selection of Allier hogsheads and barriques.

Clos Figueras is a legacy block of old, to very old, Cariñena and Garnacha vines. This very special site is surrounded by ancient terraces which were re established to viticulture at the turn of the century. Cabernet and Syrah have traditionally been called upon by local vignerons to round out the palate of Priorat Grenache and to contribute structure. The most exemplary parcels are singled out for inclusion into Clos Figueras, achieving a finely chiselled wine which undulates with seamlessness, resonating under its opulent weight of fruit and dulcet complexity.

A collation of superior vineyard parcels, crafted by a boutique estate which has been recognized as one of Australia's leading wineries. Clonakilla are dedicated to making distinctive, handcrafted wines, only ever released in limited quantities, anything by Clonakilla can be hard to find, but they are worth the search. The house speciality is Shiraz, Clonakilla unashamedly borrow techniques from Burgundy and Vallée du Rhône. Clonakilla's inaugural vintage claimed two gold medals, one silver and two trophies in only three showings.

An extremely limited edition, crafted from a shrewd cull of the choicest bunches, picked off an elite block of low yelding, dy grown, sixty year old vines, the premiership of Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Claymore have always placed the greatest emphasis on securing the finest parcels, in and around the sacred soils of Watervale. A timely vinification is follwed by two long years in the finest French oak hogsheads, all aimed at achieving the holy grail of moreish fruit, velvet textures and tasty, toothsome tannins.

A rigorous barrel cull of the most outstanding Shiraz of vintage, assembled after a stringent tally of superior blocks at Penwortham in Valley Clare. Sent to a high selection of new French oak for a term of extended age, candidate barrels are shortlisted after a year's oak maturation, returned to rest for another year before a serious sampling to determine the final cut. Full bodied, rich and intense Shiraz with powerful dark fruits and mouth filling savouryness, lifted spice intertwines with velvetine, spoon coating tannins, a generosity of fruit sweetness and opulent palate length.