JM 1ST APPROACH

Medium crimson-purple; the plush red berry fruit and oak aromas lead into a multi-layered textural palate, with plum and more savoury fruit set within the subtle French and American oak in which the wine was matured. This is indeed a serious merlot at a laughable price. 92 points James Halliday Top 100 Wines

This not just a triumph for the tough 2011 vintage, it’s a wine of beauty, alluring internal harmony and inherent balance. I didn’t expect to like it much at all,

but I found it nothing less than compellingly, gloriously enticing.

94 points Tyson Tselzer

Crunchy black- and redcurrants are on show, edged with blackcurrant bud, green capsicum and leaf. The palate rides a taut backbone of cool vintage, high altitude acidity, supported by subtle dark chocolate and coffee oak. Fruit-focused tannins are finely structured, well matched to the gentle demeanour of the vintage, yet with a presence and command that promise confidence in the cellar. As always, it’s too young on release and screams out for a vigorous decant. 92 points Tyson Tselzer

A bright brick red colour with crimson highlights. The palate is complex and alluring, combining dark berry fruit and blueberries with underbrush and hints of chocolate and toasted coffee. The palate is rich and fruit driven with Barbera’s vibrant berry flavours matched by the savoury tobacco leaf and fine tannins of Nebbiolo.

A 'mini' Barolo, for this price? Unbelievable ... yet true. Stock up, I have! Gavin Trott

The finest vintage for Mike Press Sauvignon yet? No question .... exuberant and flamboyant fruit reminiscent of lime zest, guava, frangipane and rockmelon. As crunchy and fresh as ever, with impressive length and balance that comes from vines that have now reached their teen years. 91 points Tyson Tselzer

 It’s an awesomely fresh and lively wine, indisputably sauvignon blanc, but the exuberant fruit has a real “feelgood” factor. It’s a crisp, crunchy, dry young wine with green citrus, gooseberry and guava flavours;  ... Wine of the Week Windsor Dobbin

Green pear, citrus, apricot kernel and a few dried herbs, but perhaps ‘cooly fruity’ is a good way to describe it. It’s clean and refreshing with excellent fruit purity and a little bit of ‘mineral’, perhaps there’s a touch of sweetness to round out  and balance, but feels pretty much dry and pulls that way with its gently herbal and sparkling finish. Well, maybe not ultra-complex, but so good to drink. 91 points Winefront.com.au