JM 1ST APPROACH

.... 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

How much flavour they can cram into it is quite incredible. Roasted coffee beans, Black Forest gateau and port-soaked figs - you name it, this wine has got it going on. 95 points WBM Magazine

Brown-gold; another step up in richness and lusciousness, an unctuous, essency palate with spicy plum pudding and caramel overtaking outright raisin flavours; the finish is sleek and lingering; 10-15 years barrel age. Serve chilled; 500 ml. Screwcap. 17% alc. Rating 95 James Halliday

Tagged as the “baby brother” to their flagship Vat 47 chardonnay, the Moon Mountain has soft white peach and melon aromas with some nutty nuances shining through. With a creamy mouthfeel, ripe peach, nectarine and subtle biscuit flavours, this refined chardonnay is all about the fruit, with some added flavour from a mixture of new and seasoned French oak.

Hints of licorice, dark chocolate, earth, jasmin, five spice and subtle, seasoned oak nuances. Plenty of drive across the palate with a lovely line of bright, energetic acidity that seems to wrap around the ripe, chalky fine-grained tannins and the wine drives through to a finish that is poised perfectly.

Decent, quaffable pinot noir for under $20? It's almost impossible to find but this terrific value import from the south of France manages it ... “the best French Pinot Noir outside of Burgundy” .... It's on the riper side of the pinot spectrum, certainly no shrinking violet, but no brash bogan either. The (French) girl next door with smoothness, dark cherry fruit flavours, hints of earthiness and plenty of length. It can be found on special for as low as $15 but the RRP is $19.  Windsor Dobbin

it fairly glides along though the mouth, finishing long and sweet. Subtle savoury elements and brown spices too. Typical Barossa Grenache. High quality at the price and a very good drink. 92 points Winefront.com.au

Good intensity here. Really fresh and perfumed. Inviting. Textural. Almost chewy. Rose petals and green apples. Stonefruity power to the mid palate. Chalky finish. Has that ‘desperate for shellfish’ quality. Tending towards brineyness. Perfumed aftertaste. Very good – drinking and buying. 90 points WInefront.com.au

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

The family that owns Pico Maccario is a true Barbera specialist! With an intense purple color, this wine features a bouquet of plum and cherry with hints of baking spice. It has a super silky mouthfeel, finishing in sweet fruit and velvety tannins. A rich, satisfying glass sure to please any crowd.  ... A scent of pine or rosemary leads off, followed by flavors of pure black cherry and blackberry. This has density and grip, but in proportion with the juicy fruit. Drink now through 2016.