JM 1ST APPROACH

'By daylight the finest wine to appear under this label, ... fine-grained oak lifted by alluring hints of spice and black tea leaves....Long and supple. It's smooth, gentle and very fine-grained, delivering a charmingly willowy presence of vibrant black, blue and red fruits supported by bony tannins, finishing savoury and slightly meaty, with exemplary freshness and persistence.' 95 points - Jeremy Oliver, The Australian Wine Annual 2012

Citrus and juicy exotic perfume first, then an intense citrus burst along with granny smith and green mango – the flavour is delicate yet dry and focussed. There’s a spine of tingling acidity, lemon and flinty cut, and excellent length – long clear and crisp. Refreshing. Rain washed, yes, but as a summer shower on a warm day. Cue slow motion of attractive person shaking off water."  Rated : 94 PointsWinefront.com.au

Blood plum, nuts, licorice and some chocolate on a middle weight palate that delivers plenty of flavour along with attractive chewiness and freshness. The length is particularly impressive and closes with a desirable Italianate bitterness, like chicory or similar. Is it the best release of Gran Sasso to date? I suspect so. I defy you to find a more interesting, savoury wine with modest alcohol and food friendliness at the price. If you do, please let me know. It’s ever so slightly better than a 90 point wine ... Rated : 91 Points Winefront

.... the bouquet is spicy and ripe with ironstone and dark-fruit aromas. In the mouth it's rich and concentrated, powerful and commanding, with brilliant ripeness and impressive length. Now to 2034 96 points www.winingpom.com.au

... compelling levels of ripe black fruits, savoury spices and toasty oak; the palate is unctuous and silky, with black and red fruits combining with silky, fine-grained tannins expanding across the palate with true grace and harmony .... 97 points James Halliday

If I were in the market for a tasty weekday wine, I'd be all over  this like a fat kid on a Panettone.

Blood plum, sweet herb and aniseed  perfume, pepper and new leather. It’s medium bodied, fresh and  vivacious, with sweet red fruit and plum but enough Italianate savouries  to pull it back into line. Appropriate level of tannin, a cola nut and  subtle Chinotto-like bitterness and whole lot of drinking charm complete  the package Score is thereabouts correct, though not particularly  important.Rated : 90 Points Winefront.com.au

'Clonakilla genius for the masses, this year cooler and more pepper-edged than ever. It's chiselled, angular and honed, with mineral granite nuances, generous layers of edgy pepper and crunchy blackberries. Given time, it will unravel into something profound. 94 points -Tyson Stelzer, Wine Taste, August 19, 2011

Huon Hooke, Gourmet Traveller WINE, December 2011 94 points- Rich, clean aromas of mocha, dark plum, dark berries and violets. It's medium-full bodied and quite elegant, with soft tannins and superb balance. This year Gnarly Dudes is something special.