JM 1ST APPROACH

Cranberry, damask rose, pomegranate, cherry juice and cracked dark husky spices (not quite clove, or black pepper) mingle in a beautifully pure Toro red earthiness. A full and velvet-soft fruit palate, sheeted on quality fruit tannin. Medium volume, with spread and reach, never sweet, not heavy nor lumpy. Effortless and lovely.

Tagged as the “baby brother” to their flagship Vat 47 chardonnay, the Moon Mountain has soft white peach and melon aromas with some nutty nuances shining through. With a creamy mouthfeel, ripe peach, nectarine and subtle biscuit flavours, this refined chardonnay is all about the fruit, with some added flavour from a mixture of new and seasoned French oak.

The family that owns Pico Maccario is a true Barbera specialist! With an intense purple color, this wine features a bouquet of plum and cherry with hints of baking spice. It has a super silky mouthfeel, finishing in sweet fruit and velvety tannins. A rich, satisfying glass sure to please any crowd.  ... A scent of pine or rosemary leads off, followed by flavors of pure black cherry and blackberry. This has density and grip, but in proportion with the juicy fruit. Drink now through 2016.

This Barbera has a deep ruby color with a filtered appearance. There is a beautiful bouquet of red fruit, currants and a hint of perfumed violets and some musty cellar floor. This is a medium bodied wine with a winning flavor combination of dark berry, plum, cranberry, chocolate and lead pencil. True to Barbera’s reputation, there is gripping acidity and a whisper of smooth tannins. The finish is long and lingering.

Well, if a rosé is made by such Burgundy royalty as DRC’s Aubert de Villaine and Dujac’s Jacques Seysses; a bloke sort of has to try it, hey? this is based on old vines Cinsault, a variety not known for its power and complexities, to add fragrance and zip to their reds. In this, the variety’s characteristic rosés, seem to appear not only in the aromatics, but also in a radiant rose pink colour. This is so textured, long and fresh and it plays out with a tingling backbone and a nice drying, savoury note at the end. This is worth finding. Don’t know if I’ve seen a better rosé... Adelaide Review

the ultimate weekday refreshing red (don’t quote me on that). Red fruit, blood plum, black jellybean with a subtle nut and dried herb flavour. It’s fresh and balanced with fine dry tannin and a good clean finish. Drinks beautifully and has that bit of Nero d’Avola charisma as a point of difference. Rated : 90 Points Winefront.com.au

Another impressive import with bags of bright personality that begs for food. WiningPom

Straight Up Mataro, named after the Mataro vine’s vertical inclination, is a wine heady with floral herbs of kitchen gardens and elderflowers. A core of bramble fruits and blueberries hold it’s terrestrial, earthy characters and muscular structure.

A delicious version of Nero d'Avola with a dense ruby-red color. The enthralling bouquet calls attention to mature and sweet but not cooked scents and balsamic and floral notes of violets with a light trace of tobacco at the close. A wine with a big structure and a remarkable personality.

Price-wise this bats against the standard-issue Koonunga Shiraz; it would be easy to argue that it gives it a fair touch up. Distinctive peanut shell-like aftertaste. Bang on for drinkability. Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front
Wine of the Week - The economic reality is that many other countries can produce good wines more cheaply than we can in Australia. This is a case in point: a terrific savoury quaffing Spanish red blend that won't break the bank.‘Wine of the Week’ Winsor Dobbin.a good mix between savoury and sweet too, with a .. good deal of Tempranillo to pan out the structure. It’s as generous as a paella pan overflowing with flavour, has a silky red fruit palate and some dried herb character. Ends with keen acids that keep it perky but it’s the smooth tannins that impress making for a seamless drink at the price. Patrick Haddock; Wining Pom