JM 1ST APPROACH

Medium crimson-purple; the plush red berry fruit and oak aromas lead into a multi-layered textural palate, with plum and more savoury fruit set within the subtle French and American oak in which the wine was matured. This is indeed a serious merlot at a laughable price. 92 points James Halliday Top 100 Wines

.... It’s got all the engineering to go the distance: beautifully textured tannins, enlivened by the naturally vibrant acidity of this lofty site. 2012 is the most complete Mike Press Shiraz to date: concentrated, confident, mesmerisingly persistent, and at every moment refined and graceful. Drink:  2017-2022  94   points  Tyson Tselzer
Forget ratings, forget hype: this is the best shiraz Mike Press has released under his own name. Easily.
It’s thick and sweet-fruited and more authoritative than any previous release. It has some presence ...Dense plum, a lift of cherry, substantial vanillin oak and juicy acidity. The recipe is simple but density and purity of flavour is not. If you enjoy this style of wine, this is the release to stock up on. In Mike Press Shiraz terms, it is ‘the one’. 94 points Winefront.com.au

Crunchy black- and redcurrants are on show, edged with blackcurrant bud, green capsicum and leaf. The palate rides a taut backbone of cool vintage, high altitude acidity, supported by subtle dark chocolate and coffee oak. Fruit-focused tannins are finely structured, well matched to the gentle demeanour of the vintage, yet with a presence and command that promise confidence in the cellar. As always, it’s too young on release and screams out for a vigorous decant. 92 points Tyson Tselzer

Water white and fresh as. Shot with granny smith apples, lime drops and lemon zest, with a juicy middle and soft, clean finish. Drink right away.

Here’s the second Barossa 2011 red that shows what uncommonly bright humans of exceptional sensory nous can do in the worst vintage of recent history. For once in my life, I can confidently quote a press release without rewriting the damn thing. This beauty seems to have taken some of the worst of the wettest vintage in history (I think that’s official now) and used it to become more French than Barossan. But you wouldn’t find a Frenchman doing this for $18. Philip White Indaily July 2012

Deep straw colour, with a pale green hue. An intense combination of cashew, butter, honeycomb and stone fruit characters. Medium palate weight with a rich and creamy texture. Peach and nectarine fruit flavours are perfectly complimented by toasted nuts, honey and a persistent and flavoursome finish.