JM 1ST APPROACH

Shiraz 36% Grenache 26% Mataro 25% Carignan 7% Cinsault 6% - Very bright ruby red. A complex and complete nose, very aromatic with aromas of red currents, plum s kin, sour cherry, pomegranate, mace, pain d'epices, green pepper and subtle notes of suede, coffee and oolong tea. Medium to full bodied fresh dry palate with intense red fruit, dried herbs, spice flavours. Layered and lingering with a firm tight structure. Drink now or over the next 7 - 10 years.

The new Esprit explodes from the glass; there is so much vibrancy and life hiding in this bottle. The blend has moved to Mataro leading this Rhone inspired wine, followed by Grenache, Shiraz and a dash of Cinsault for lift and good times. It is the mataro that grabs you instantly: violets, macerated mulberries, vanilla beans all dance around the palate, striking a real chord in the mid-palate. Fragrant and alluring with pure aromas of black cherries and plums, wood spice, hazelnuts, dark chocolate, notes of freshly ground coffee and underlying savoury undergrowth aromas. The medium bodied palate displays strong mulberry and cherry fruit, wood spice and dried herb flavours. Even, supple texture with fine, lightly gripping tannins and ripe acidity. Enjoy over the next 5 - 7 years. 

Good hue, although not especially deep, or expected to be. A blend of mataro, shiraz, grenache and cinsaut that joyously reflects the '10 vintage with its cascade of red cherry, raspberry, strawberry - plus any other berry you care to name - and a long finish that is at once silky and savoury. 95 points James Halliday

There’s not a ripple or crease to delineate each of the varieties in this consummately crafted blend of mataro, shiraz, grenache and cinsault. The florals and spices on display here are exotic and captivating: dried flowers, red cherries, greengage plums, mixed spice and pepper. The delight of the bouquet flows all the way through the palate, carried by a finely structured, silky backbone of carefully textured tannins. 94 points Tyson Tselzer  

The wine critics, quite rightly, raved about the 2006 and 2007 version of this wine, making it Australia wide Wine of the Year. Well, the current vintage, the 2009, continues this form through, its sensational. In fact, it has almost amazingly, rich, ripe, spicy and very finely balanced fruits, all dark fruits, berries, plums dark cherries and mulberry fruit. It still has that landmark savoury finish that makes this wine so classy and such a brilliant wine for food, and also to cellar. The wine finishes long, amazingly long really, with fine fine tannins, and real 'touch of the South of France' savouriness and touch of Garrigue, all over superbly luscious Barossa fruit. Brilliant stuff that will only enhance this wine's great reputation ... and a serious wine bargain!! - Gavin  Trott

Celebrated blend of mataro, shiraz and grenache – with some extra input from cinsault. Cracking wine, this 2010. Beautifully well managed. Tastes fresh and lively and yet has leathery, earthen notes – to complement the wine’s bursts of cherried, plummy, smoky fruit. As with all the 2010 Spinifex reds, it benefits from a stint in the decanter. It’s a little reductive and ferrous and some of these aspects blow off with air, but thankfully not all of them. Ripe, integrated, meticulous tannin. A ripping wine in its style. 94 points Winefront.com.au