JM 1ST APPROACH

A little Szechuan pepper, licorice,black and blue fruits, thyme and mountain herbs. It sports a set of rugged, manly tannin, fresh acidity and plenty of chew and interest. Briary. Authentic. Balanced. You just know drinking it makes you more handsome - boys and girls alike. Roger that Roger. Rated : 94 Points Drink: 2012 - 2022+ Winefront.com.au

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

OZ WINE REVIEW Andrew Graham, OCT 2011 “… dense liquorice, chocolate fudge, dark berries and just a little alcohol lift. It’s a very solid, rich and concentrated nose, perhaps a little obvious for some but that obviousness is more just regional character to me. The palate too is utterly Vale derived, with more chocolate fudge-mocha rich fruit and oak, built full bodied, rich and decadent with that lovely tarry/red berried middle that the Vale does so well. Long, even, ripe and powerful….”

It's medium to full bodied, crunchy fresh and cool, expressive and juicily vibrant with tannin that bobs and weaves, and fans out on the long finish. Almost like a Pinot Noir in some respects, but not. But gee it's good though. Drinking it makes you feel like interesting things are happening, somewhere out there in the world. Rating : 95 Points Drink : 2014 - 2030

– 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

..... Normally I'm a cynical man and a cynical taster, but I kept coming back to this. I couldn't not like it. I couldn't not like the wonderful energy and concentration of the style. I put it down, I picked it back up again. Superb, 'essence of black grapes' juice. 95 points
... finally a hint, like its been dusted with icing sugar. Its young, but its balanced, its already complex with a huge upside, and it has a very fine tannin edged structure. Wow, great stuff, intriguing and sophisticated, serious wine that is seriously under priced! Fine fine sensitive wine making on some superb quality fruit. We loved it, so will you! - The auswine panel