A base of Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller components of Petit Verdot, Malbec or Merlot. As the vineyards that supply these grapes have matured, the yields of the different varieties have varied and so the percentages in the finished wines have also changed. The makeup of the vineyard is important in resolving two key issues, seasonal variations, dictated by mother nature and style, controlled by winemakers. Cabernet produces the best wine, but the other Bordeaux varietals can play an important role in maximising quality of the finished wine.

Moss Wood were destined from their very genesis to be one of the new world's great marques in Cabernet Sauvignon. Excellence is the estate's raison d'etre, all work amongst the vines and throughout the vinification demands a no expense spared production, aimed at crafting the most statuesque vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon. Malbec contributes rich red currant notes, Petit Verdot adds confection, Merlot is all cherries and summer pudding. Luxury oak in support with toasty, coffee bean flavours and vanilla tannin for gentle, flattering grip.

One of the more profound Margaret River constructs of the complex Bordeaux blend, a cépage of Merlot and Malbec, Cabernet and Petit Verdot. Combines the blueberry and blackcurrant fruit characters of Yallingup with the perfumed violets and toothsome red currants of Cowaramup, generous fruit depth with soft oak influence, in fine support with a toasty, spiced background. Full body and sweet round flavours of cherry and other dark fruits, as well as melted chocolate, make Amy instantly appealing and oh so easy to enjoy.

Distinguished Langtons Classification. One of Leeuwin Estate's crowning achievements, a statuesque, opulent yet graceful rendering of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. The cépage may vary somewhat from vintage to vintage, as inclusions of Petit Verdot or Malbec may serve to flesh out the generously proportioned Bordeaux styling. The highly accomplished team mobilize the fundamentals of vineyard and vinification to assemble a fully endowed Cabernet wine that's so much greater than the sum of parts.

Leasingham retain many precious vineyards in Valley Clare, well positioned to make the most definitive regional wines. Bin 56 is steeped in history, an exquisite accord of Cabernet Malbec that exhibits all of the virtues which have established Leasingham as one of the nation's most enduring marques. Bin 56 expresses the suppleness and elegance of the Clare Valley style, a refined yet solidly structured Cabernet wine, displaying excellent varietal lift and a concentration of dulcet fruit characters, held together by refined, elegant tannins.

The Knappstein team love a challenge, always consumed by a pursuit to enlighten and to surprise in equal measure. The Insider pushes boundaries to explore new styles, to entice the aspirant and engage the enthusiast. An experimentation of adroit yet avant garde techniques, can yield quantum leaps in winemaking. While the results may be unpredictable, they can also achieve highly individual, personality driven wines. A piquant, complex accord of Malbec and Shiraz with moreish berry flavours and affable bucolic charm.

Juniper Estate was established 1973 within a picturesque setting near Wilyabrup Creek along Harmans Road. The fully mature vines are grown to auspiciously gravel loam soils which have been essential to the production of Margaret River's stellar Cabernet wines. The propitious terroir and balmy maritime climes are heaven sent for the signet Bordeaux varietals. Juniper's viticultural team assemble parcels of Cabernet and Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, to fashion an elegantly aromatic and soundly structured wine, in engaging, new world Medoc styling.

The salubrious vines at Wilyabrup can rely on plenty of sunshine for well balanced canopies, a thorough ripening and full tannin development with every vintage. A mostly Cabernet Sauvignon wine, a substantial component of Merlot with inclusions of Malbec and Cabernet Franc, fashioned to a brightly lit, fruit driven style with sound structure and moderate oak influence. Merlot provides a fleshy mid palate while the Cabernet delivers depth, integrity and length. A bliss alongside succulent, melt in the mouth braises and oven roast root vegetables.

Each year, winemaker Peter Barry takes delivery of three little pigs. Whilst these personable porkers exude charm and affability, Peter finds their contribution to the family's famous Christmas hams of most interest. Three Little Pigs shows excellent depth of fruit and a solid structure, the palate is generous with a focal point of primarily blackberry, plum and sloe berries over the savouryness of oak and fine grained, talcy tannins. An excellent choice with good food, highly recommended with barbequed ribs, pork and gourmet bangers.

Single Vineyard accord of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, from a closely coddled block at Lodge Hill on the eastern ranges of Valley Clare. The Cabernet may dominate but there's a sacred tradition of Malbec at play here, Jim Barry the man, often called on Malbec as an essential inclusion to his most memorable vintages. Defined by its seamlessness and gentle palate roundness, a fragrant assortment of Clare Valley mints, the tobacco of French oak and succulence of indigo fruit, mulberries and mouthfilling savouryness of black olive tannins.

Oustanding Langtons Classification. Jack Mann was one of Australia's most innovative and influential winemakers. He immersed himself in the single pursuit of producing the most stately wines while at Houghton throughout a half century of memorable vintages. Cuvee Jack Mann is Houghton's finest wine and Western Australia's most iconic Cabernet. Small amounts of peerless quality grapes, an original Houghton clone developed by Jack Mann himself, are hand picked from the very heart of a distinguished vineyard and individually considered for inclusion.

It was Charles William Ferguson who established Houghton as a national brand and lead the way for Jack Mann to advance West Australian viticulture into a leading global winegrowing region. The most exquisite parcels of Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon are vinified in traditional open top fermenters and filled to a high proportion of new Bordeaux coopered French oak barriques for sixteen months. The inclusion of a large component Malbec makes CW Ferguson a sensationally well rounded Cabernet style, wrapped in a muslin of seamless, velvet tannins.

Malbec loves the prevailing maritime climes of the west coast, yielding an amazing quality of wine with vibrant fruit character and the most affable tannins. Grapes are picked by hand and open fermented with a component of whole bunch inclusions, hand plunged for up to a fortnight in one and two tonne open fermenters, gently pressed for completion of ferments into French oak barriques for twelve to fifteen months maturation. A wine of suppleness and finesse, its brooding perfumes presage a palate that fills the mouth with serious weight of opaque fruit.

Haan are all about the magnificence of fruit grown to the superlative Hanenhof Vineyard. The original property was purchased in 1853 by George Friedrich Schmidt for one pound per acre. Development of the site to the most exacting standards has been the keystone of success, to which must be added the consuming pursuit of excellence. An assemblage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the mesmerising Medoc style of rich Barossa red, deeply flavoursome and powerfully driven by concentratations of fruit.

A rich and complex mix, Bordeaux style, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Shiraz make an essential contribution to the ultimate roundness of style. Aged eighteen months in French oak, a seamlessly integrated accord that's drinking beautifully, the previous vintage claimed Gold Medals Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, it was Royal Melbourne's Highest Rated Wine. We love it and we know that you will too.

A half of Cabernet Sauvignon, the balance in Merlot with a judicious measure Malbec, all picked off the original block of Golden Ball vines, separately treated to wild indigenous yeast ferments for retention of varietal eloquence. Components are for rack and returned for malolactic, assembled and filled to an extravagantly high mix of new, Bordeaux coopered French oak for an extended term of eighteen months age. A deeply cryptic Cuvée, defined by savourynes and intensity of opaque fruit, its dark brooding layers unravel as the tannins soften and glow in the glass.

There are few family names in the Australian wine industry as eminent and enduring as Glaetzer and Potts, they each own and operate many of the oldest and most precious vineyards in Langhorne Creek. Malbec is a regional tour de force, few places in the world can yield the quality of Malbec that comes naturally to Langhorne Creek, the secret ingredient to many of the nation's most memorable vintages. A stunning wine of lifted violet florals and spice, the palate flows with ripe plum and black fruit flavours over a bed of soft and subtle, silky blueberry tannins.

Inspired by the great Crus of Bordeaux, the aim is to build complexity within a single vineyard wine, to allow the fruit to shine, as complemented by the finest oak, a Cabernet of profound structure, polish and finesse. The inclusion of small portions Merlot and Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, are treated to a regimen of cutting edge and old world vinification techniques. Fraser Gallop's superlative Cabernet vines are the highly regarded Houghton clone, sourced off unirrigated blocks yielding fruit with a massive concentration of flavours.

A complex cepage of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a balance of Merlot, totted up by smaller portions Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, sourced from neighbouring properties at Yallingup, the northernmost district of Margaret River. Particular attention is paid to inclusion of fruit from auspicious gravelly soils. Fashioned to retain youthfulness and fruit integrity, even after an extended ageing in French oak, a medium bodied, contemporarily styled Margaret River claret style to be enjoyed alongside meats with rich sauces or ripe, pungent cheese.

Mount Barker shares an uncanny confluence of soils and clime with the world's great Malbec regions, the unique gravelly terroirs of Bordeaux, the nether latitudes and invigorating elements of Mendoza. Malbec was planted at Forest Hill in the 1990s, now in their third decade of productivity, they yield the rare quality of Malbec that merits bottling as a pure varietal wine. Multi dimensioned and structured, an intensity of blackcurrant, cherry and cloves, its well proportioned palate lined with mocha, supported by the softest tannins, resolving on a lingering, black olive finish.

A national wine show champion, recipient of the 2008 Jimmy Watson. Flametree is a young and most remarkable little estate which is enjoying a meteoric rise to fame, transpiring solely on the basis of quality and unprecedented trade show successes. A mostly Cabernet Sauvignon wine with a third of Merlot from fruit grown to the Karridale and Carbunup appellations of the Margaret River region. The very special sites produce the most intense wines with ripe dark berry fruit characters, the greatest depth of flavour and soundest structure.

The archetypal Margaret River fusion of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted to opulent Medoc styling by one of West Australia's dauntless winemakers. Evans & Tate command a wide expanse of source vineyards, established during the nascent days of local viticulture. A mostly Cabernet wine with a component of good Merlot and a flourish of the softer Malbec, fashioned to articulate the profound elegance of the statuesque Margaret River style. Metricup Road is drinking beautifully right now, alongside succulent roast veal or pink of garlic lamb.

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.

The Cullen success story revolves around the quality of wine made from biodynamically grown grapes, sourced exclusively from the Cullen and Mangan Vineyards. Western Australia's wine industry acknowledged estate matriarch Diana Cullen by naming an award in her honour. A decidely Bordeaux mix of varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec, fashioned into a comely pink style of fresh, juicy characters, strawberries, currant and plum. Redolent and ripe and with vibrant varietal complexities, an ingratiatingly savoury, adults only, piquantly drying finish.

The traditional Bordeaux cepage of varietal grapes, mostly Merlot with additions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Franc, grown to the Craggy Range estate owned property in the prestigious Hawkes Bay precinct of Gimblett Gravels. The complex mix is finely attenuated each year to accomodate the vagaries of vintage. Craggy Range make an opulent, solidly structured Merlot that's feted by impresarios the world over. Deeply coloured and highly aromatic, Gimblett Gravels is effusive ans profoundly structured, underpinned by signature dusty tannins.

A topical field blend of Tempranillo, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, all hand picked and individually berry sorted prior to a light carbonic maceration and natural ferment in the Beaujolais style. Aged ten months in a single French oak vat, this west coast blend captures and expresses the magnificence of Swan River Valley. A sweet and savoury nose of satsuma plums, rosewater and black olives, a mere sprinkle of aniseed, its fresh and lively palate of pomegranates, cocao and maraschino fruits, supported by the rakish elegance of Tempranillo’s coal dust tannin structure.

Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a quarter of Malbec, red wine for rockers, those who choose to give in to their hedonistic urges. Plush generosity and a layering of flavours, pretty up front but let the wine breathe and suddenly these dry, fine and lightly chewy tannins build on the back palate, lending a savoury edge to the dark fruit richness. A skerrick of Merlot from a block adjacent the Claymore cellar door, sits in the barrel store until called for inclusion as a finishing aid, bringing structure and softness, achieving a seamless wine that leaps to the beat.

Only ever made in exceptional vintage years, from fruit grown to the old Cabernet vines on Churinga Vineyard just north of Watervale. These dry grown, gnarled old veterans yield the most superlative Cabernet Sauvignon in all Valley Clare. The harvest of this elite block is treated to a spell of extra ripening to further concentrate the intensity of flavour. The extravagance of two years French oak and minimal filtration achieve a wine of spellbinding depth and imposing structure, quite literally a beguiling Clare Cabernet to bewitch the senses.

Medical practitioners are conspicuously over represented statistically amongst the roll call of Australia's boutique wineries and grand, baronial winemaking estates. Is it all about the quest for a healthy mind and healthy body, or is it something rather more indulgent that our physicians are practising? Clearly not a depraved effort by any means, Bittersweet Symphony is a poised and gracious Cabernet wine, brimming with Clare Valley elegance, endowed with fragrant perfumes, layers of clean berry fruit and sleek, cultivated tannins.

A soft and stylish assemblage of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, crafted at a picturesque Château on the Entre-Deux Mers. The ancient site lies between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, whence some of the finest Bordeaux Superieur are produced. A generously proportioned, bourgeoise style of Medoc, with delicately fragrant oak, crisp tannins and excellent fruit character, to match with braised boeuf or crusty baguette and good old fashioned gruyere fondue.

Bodega Catena is located in the foothills of the majestic Andes. A fourth generation family operated winery, the founder Nicola Catena first planted his vineyard at Mendoza in 1902. Since then the Catenas have been crafting the most superb examples of Malbec, the signature varietal of Argentina. Specializing in superior single vineyard wines, a unique range which highlights the differences between the various terroirs and clime of Mendoza's high country, Bodega Catena is defined by the excellence of those parcels which can best achieve a delicious, more complex Malbec wine.

The enduring Aussie association of Cabernet and Shiraz, with a fair measure of the amenable Malbec for softness and style, the ultimate realization of the Castelli brothers no expense spared approach to making great wine. Australia's west grows powerful yet elegant red wines, the Cabernet Shiraz accord in particular can be breathtaking in its structure and scope. Castelli reserve the pick of vintage for Il Liris, only the most exceptional bunches are considered for inclusion, only the finest barrels are assembled into the finished wine.

The magnificence of choice harvests Frankland River and Mount Barker, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, are assembled into an exquisitely perfumed wine of defined, muscular structure and elegant, supportive tannins. Impenetrable blackberry and bramble fruit, liquorice and cassis, are all framed by its length of fine layered tannins and polished new oak. An outstanding construct, from one of the most superlative Cabernet growing appellations on the continent, Castelli offers the excellence and grace to accompany the finest gourmandise.