JM 1ST APPROACH

From the first look at the colour, dark black red, through the perfumed nose, then the power packed palate, this is clearly going to be a class wine! ... dark fruits, black berries, plums, liquorice, then opening up to add touches of vanilla, a sliver of chocolate, spices and a hint of cream. The palate too is super intense, densely packed fruits, layers of black berry, plum, super ripe raspberries and liquorice, with a really creamy mouthfeel. The finish is very long, with loads of soft and fine tannins.

This is a wine with power, yet structure, intense and tight, with a huge future in front of it. Indeed, it was at its best, and getting better, three hours later. Class all the way! Gavin Trott

THE WINE FRONT - Campbell Mattinson, - This mourvedre from Turkey Flat spent 20 months in French oak puncheons. We have another winning mourvedre here. It's dark berried and earthen, leathery and polished. Spicy, cedary oak makes a delicious contribution and its grainy, assertive, rusty tannin is a highlight. Lovely length. Medium-bodied but almost porty in its ripeness. Beautiful wine to drink even now though it can be cellared with confidence too. Rating: 94 Points

Yalumba The Scribbler 2010 opens with a lift of raspberries, sweet spices and licorice followed by the fresh aromatics of herbs and crushed plums. This is a beautifully polished wine of medium to full body. The Cabernet Sauvignon structure defines the palate with the Shiraz cascading generously through the middle.