JM 1ST APPROACH

– a slot car race of a palate. Length is excellent too. Looking good now, but with more shiny bits to come in the future. If you like your Balnaves, then this is an excellent release. Rated : 94+ Points Winefront.com.au

The strong purple-crimson colour signals no problems yet, the rich bouquet and medium- to full-bodied palate bursting with intense, perfectly ripened blackcurrant fruit; despite 19 months in quality French oak, it is this fruit, and the well-weighted tannins, which are the primary drivers. 95 points James Halliday

“One of Marlborough’s most refined estates just got finer. Magic happened when the idyllic 2010 season met these mature, low-cropped estate vineyards. A winemaking philosophy that prizes texture above flavour, and a lower proportion of new oak than ever, have produced one of the region’s finest chardonnays. It’s lively, honed and poised, with a lemon blossom lift and a fine, taut, textural, mineral-infused palate that lingers long. Drink 2015-2022.” 95 points Tyson Stelzer, Wine Taste, Edition 55

First and foremost, it’s a beautiful drink ... Tastes of tar and blackcurrant, dust and dried herbs. Almost a little sappy/spicyperfumed in the mouth. . Quite gorgeous. Rated : 91 Points The Winefront Campbell Mattinson

Composure, sensitivity and balance are the keys here. It’s almost dapper actually ...  Very persuasive all up, especially at the price.  Excellent Wine Will Eat Itself

Plenty of lavender, dried rosemary, hung game-meats, musk and white pepper. The palate is well weighted with plenty of texture and fruit flavour’s of ripe, plum, blackfruit’s, mulberry and cherry. As to be expected there are the rich savoury and spicy aspects that we love from this variety in abundance. Nutmeg, Dutch licorice and a great earthy weight. Ripe, chalky tannins wrap in to a long persistent finish.

Bright colour and bright personality, combining black and red fruits with a splash of sage and cedar; the palate is medium-bodied, sweet-fruited and ample, providing simple pleasure in spades. 90 points James Halliday

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

... Suede texture leads into fine, graphite tannin. Complex, layered and beautiful. Wow. 95+ Excellent – Exceptional Wine Will Eat Itself

It’s nicely concentrated with a driving fruit intensity and finishes with clean acid and persistent spice. It’s still finding its feet but this is only going to get better with time. Winingpom

... long, languid and beautifully detailed from start to finish; excellent viticulture and winemaking in total harmony. 96 Points James Halliday

Well it’s become a bit of a star over the past six or seven years. Tannin tames with time though it still ripples and pulls throughout. Terrific length. Savoury to its back teeth – this is not a wine for fruit sluts – and impeccably well balanced. Indeed balance is arguably its key feature. Tip top I’d reckon.95 points Winefront