JM 1ST APPROACH

Tannin of muscular density and grip - authoritative but not over-bearing. They'll stand this beautifully blue and black fruited wine in good stead for many a year. There's soft and subtle vanilla oak, a little spice, and some of that regional and/or vineyard derived ironstone character that I find so appealing. Chocolate and licorice with air, though it's the depth of fruit married to impressive structure that's the thing here. A mighty wine. Needs some time yet, but what a future. Rated : 94+ Points. Drink : 2014 - 2030

there's nothing but good news here. It's a gentle cherry/berry style with a fresh violet lift and some spicy complexity on the finish. Fine tannins give it more definition and structure than you'd expect. It's only going to get better with two or three years in the cellar, so make sure you go long on this one. Gavin Trott

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

“ Bright crimson-purple; oh my, what a beautiful wine from this wondrous vintage; a selection from 19 vineyard sites, open-fermented, basket-pressed and matured in quality American oak, 25% new; its juicy flavours caress the mouth, the oak balance spot on, and not imparting overt vanilla, the tannins equally good.” – 96 Points James Halliday

I don’t know what they’re doing at Kirrihill – but they’re not making a $20 wine. - OK, so it needs some time. The acid needs to settle, the tannin needs to relax, it all just needs to knit together some more. But the purity of fruit – blackcurrant, dust, brambly blackberries – and the firm seriousness of the finish mark it clearly as something other than a mere quaffer. A touch of chocolatey oak completes the picture. Good bones here. Rated : 92+ Points Winefront.com.au