JM 1ST APPROACH

medium brick red in colour with an attractive cherry, plum, berry nose and with already a hit of barnyard complexity. There is sweet fruit along the length of the medium weight palate while a touch of stalky tannin lengthens the palate and provides the bit of grip so important for rood and longevity. I think you'll find the wine quite delicious now but suggest cellaring for around five years if it's those developed, funky, forest floor characters you're after.

"Pushes most of the pinot buttons, relying on good fruit rather than winemaker artifice to do the job. But it’s richly textured, savoury and has the backbone of a good pinot. Cellaring? No need, lap it up now!" Chrisshanahan.com

Decent, quaffable pinot noir for under $20? It's almost impossible to find but this terrific value import from the south of France manages it ... “the best French Pinot Noir outside of Burgundy” .... It's on the riper side of the pinot spectrum, certainly no shrinking violet, but no brash bogan either. The (French) girl next door with smoothness, dark cherry fruit flavours, hints of earthiness and plenty of length. Windsor Dobbin