In 1980, Geoff Hardy left the then family company, Thomas Hardy & Sons, to make his own way in the Australian wine world. The same year, he established Pertaringa and since then the Pertaringa vineyards in the foothills behind McLaren Vale have continued to produce some of the region's finest wines. The soils are enriched from the hills above and the cooler climate, further tempered by the sea breezes off St Vincent's Gulf, sets the scene for high quality wine grapes.

The Tipsy Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is from Bec Hardy's vineyard in the Blewitt Springs sub-region of McLaren Vale. The ancient soils and elevation of the Tipsy Hill vineyard offer the perfect conditions for growing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The property also includes a stunning garden, featuring the rare Tipsy Hill Imperial Concubine rose, from which the name originates.

This was a very good season in McLaren Vale, producing some quite wonderful wines, and in this case it's sourced from the excellent Blewitt Springs subregion. There's power here - power plus - with a strong blackcurrant and blackberry combination on the nose, some subtle toasty oak, and lifted notes of floral violets. The palate shows the influence of 20 months in oak, of which 30 percent was new. But the fruit weight and intensity have handled it well and set it up for long-term cellaring. Ultimately, it's perfectly poised, balanced, and neatly integrated, with the structure to handle extended ageing. Drink to: 2026-2046; Price: $120.00; Rating: 97 Points; Ray Jordan

The fruit for this excellent McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is from the Blewitt Springs sub-region. The Cabernet block forms just 1.7 hectares and was planted in 1999. The colour is effectively black with a very dark maroon rim. The wine is intense yet balanced at all times and offers notes of chocolate, cassis, tobacco leaves, truffles, blackberries, cloves, coffee beans and mocha. Even a touch of blueberries. More chocolate emerges towards the finish of the palate. The wine has balance and depth and really is very long on the finish, with firm, fine tannins. There is no reason this wine won't provide pleasure for twenty-five years, but for those without the patience, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had along the journey. Drink to: 2026-2052; Price: $100.00; Rating: 96 Points; Ken Gargett

Deep, inky crimson with commanding density and depth. The bouquet is layered revealing cassis, black plum and dark cherry interwoven with cedar, cocoa, dried herbs and subtle graphite complexity. Oak is seamlessly integrated, contributing spices. Full-bodied and powerful yet controlled, delivering concentrated black fruit framed by firm, polished tannins and vibrant regional acidity. The mid-palate shows impressive drive and length, with dark chocolate, savoury spice and tobacco nuances unfolding toward a long, structured and cellar-worthy finish. A serious McLaren Vale Cabernet with gravitas, precision and longevity. Drink now to 2038; Rating: 96 Points; Vino Masters