Lindemans 2006 Pyrus

Lindemans make so many value-for-money wines that it is easy to overlook their top-notch cellaring prospects. This is a star from the very good 2006 Coonawarra vintage; a classic Bordeaux blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot. It offers an appealing melange of dark berry, mint and tobacco leaf characters with superb texture and intensity on the palate, but also an inate softness. $55.

Zema Estate 2005 Cluny

The wines made by family-owned Coonawarra brand Zema Estate are so beautifully balanced that they are generally a pleasure to drink. This blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and malbec has 15% alcohol but handles it well. Rich and complex with some lovely softness, it is disturbingly drinkable. It was also a wine with a real evaporation problem - our bottle was drained with indecent haste. $25.

Alluviale 2008 Anobli

Lovers of serious sweet wines will be orgasmic over this one; which sits somewhere between sauternes and tokaji on the flavour spectrum. Made from sauvignon blanc grapes grown in Hawke’s Bay and matured in French oak, it is a fragrant, rich and complex potpourri of flavours, unctuous and appealing but with lovely crisp natural acidity. The 270g/L of residual sugar means this is not for wimps - but I was blown away. $40 for 375mls.

Wynns 2008 Connawarra Shiraz

Vintage after vintage this is one of Australia's great wine bargains. OK, so it is still very youthful - but it is also very drinkable. There's plenty of flavour here with rich berry and dark plum characters on the palate and spicy, peppery nuances. Medium-bodied and stylish and nicely balanced with 14% alcohol, this is one of those reds that you should have a case of - just in case. Often found for much less than the recommended retail of $19.99.