The 2014 Opus One exudes subtle aromas of fragrant florals, fresh garden herbs and forest floor that give way to a concentrated blend of red cherry, blackberry and black currant. Fine-grained tannins offer a velvety texture and complex structure that builds to a long, vibrantly fresh finish with a touch of mocha. Enjoyable now, the wine will delight for years to come. Oakville, California: Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley's Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth. The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture. Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.

West Cape Howe Book Ends Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep, dark crimson red coloured wine. The rich bouquet emanates dense plum fruit aromas, with hints of smoky oak and berry fruits. A well-textured wine, the palate contains strong flavours of ripe boysenberry and blackberry fruit, with oak characters coming from barrel maturation. This silky wine has great depth and a lovely mouthfeel, and is very well balanced. The gently drying tannins complemented by good acidity contribute to the lengthy finish. This Mount Barker wine can be consumed early, but it gets better when cellared for up to 10 years. The wine is a great partner to seafood and pasta dishes.

To retain the stylish varietal model he seeks with Shadrach, Grant Burge used a high proportion of Coonawarra fruit in 2000. Who can argue with the result! A minty complex wine, with depth and elegance.

Smoked rosemary on the nose is followed by a hit of cigar box and pencil lead on the attack. There's excellent quality on display here, with well-judged body and mid-palate, and great persistency, although it's pulled up by a shot of acidity on the finish - something that will not be as evident with food. A good life ahead. The estate did not submit a 2011 to this tasting. Jane Anson Decanter

This is well filled out through the mid-palate, with some clear menthol notes on the finish. We are in signature Médoc territory here, with plenty of lift and juice in the fruit still. It's good value for a quality Haut-Médoc too, definitely off the starting blocks, but with another five to ten years ahead. Jane Anson Decanter

Born and bred in Margaret River, Evans & Tate Redbrook Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful, classic expression of the regions famed Cabernets. Textural and expertly structured, it is aged in minimum new French oak to lend a lightly spiced character. Perfumed with notes of tobacco and mint, the wine tastes of olive, plum and blackberry on the palate. As with the best of Margaret River Cabernets, this will age gracefully for decades.

It would be difficult to find a more classically Médoc wine than this great Cantemerle, with its sustained power and refined elegance. A very deep color and subtle aromas underscore its youth. Once in the mouth, this rich and full-bodied wine releases notes of coffee, olives and licorice which are emphasized by an opulent and harmonious length. A fine wine which marries fullness and delicacy, while avoiding heaviness and excessive oak.