JM 1ST APPROACH

“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

a dense and powerful old-vine wine from the Biscay clays of Bethany, inky black colour, intense kirsch and dark plum with mint, graphite, bay leaf, herb, dark chocolate and violet notes, full bodied, extractive palate with firm, gravelly tannins and plenty of new French oak (****1/2) GenXYWines

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

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

Another great example of the quality of this vintage in Coonawarra. Silky smooth seamless structure with those tannins and oak cut precisely into the elegant fruit. 97 Points; Ray Jordan's Top 100 Australian Reds, The West Australian July 2012