Look for these wines in forthcoming Vintages releases
Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
McLaren Vale/Coonawarrra (Australia) $17.95 (965830)
This 100% Cab (92% from McLaren Vale) is beautifully textured and has wonderful fruit complexity. Dominated by black berry flavours, it's interwoven with layers of sweet spice, black plum and cherry and a hint of gaminess. Medium-bodied and nicely-balanced, this is a natural for lamb. (RP)
Chapel Hill Shiraz-Grenache 2005
McLaren Vale $18.95 (37168)
This is a rich, plush blend that nicely shows the best of the two component varieties: the intense fruitiness of the Shiraz and the slightly gritty texture and fruit sweetness of the Grenache. They're a powerful and delicious combination here. Look for medium weight, light tannins and a nice line of acidity, all completed by a long and finely-flavoured finish. Serve it with a well-herbed rack of lamb, grilled medium-rare. (RP)
Torres 'Mas La Plana' Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
DO Penedès $44.95 (617456)
There's a lifted nose of currant and raspberry while the flavours are warm, round and quite fruit-forward. Look for ripe and juicy black cherry, spice box and black raspberry jam flavours. It's complex and adds on hints of mint, truffles and well-integrated oak. It offers a medium-length finish and shows deft balance. This is an early-drinking, single vineyard Cab that will also cellar until 2012. It pairs well with osso bucco. (VH)
Santa Carolina 'Barrica Selection' Syrah 2005
Maipo Valley $14.95 (34959)
This a delicious, fruit-forward, densely-flavoured Syrah that calls for equally intensely-flavoured food. Nothing less than well-seasoned grilled red meat will do, I'm afraid. The aromas are rich and pungent black fruit and berries, and the flavours are dominated by black cherry, with minor lines of dried cherries, pepper, spice and smoke. It has good tannic grip and a rich, tangy texture. Drink it now and over the next five years. (RP)
Chapel Hill Unwooded Chardonnay 2006
South Australia $14.95 (34397)
Made from grapes selected from four regions in South Australia, this Chardonnay shows excellent flavour and texture. Look for delightful floral and tropical aromas, followed by pure fruit flavours of white peach, pear and tropical fruit. It's medium bodied and has food-friendly balance, and it pairs well with grilled chicken salad or lightly-spiced chicken and seafood. (RP)
Santa Carolina 'Reserva de Familia' Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Maipo Valley $19.95 (684597)
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is an unadulterated pleasure, so share it with your spouse or partner. The flavours deliver remarkable complexity, from the varied black fruit and berries and the notes of dried fruit to the accents of coffee beans, chocolate and vanilla. It's full bodied with a soft texture and some grip from the long, sweet tannins. It finishes long and strong. It's an excellent wine at an excellent price, and you can drink it now with rich red meat dishes or hold it another four or five years. (RP)
Santa Carolina 'Barrica Selection' Petit Verdot 2005
Rapel Valley $14.95 (007484)
Petit Verdot, a minor variety in the Bordeaux palette, is too-seldom produced as a varietal wine. This one (which is 85% Petit Verdot, 9% Syrah and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon) delivers richly complex flavours of dark plum, cherry and blackberries, with notes of dried fruit, spice and smoke. It's medium bodied with a fairly full and plush texture, has good tannic structure, and it goes well with well-seasoned red meats. (RP)