“Soft, supple, ready to drink and beautifully balanced, this is a stunning Merlot for the price.”   88

	- Robert Whitley - The Record - 15 June 2005

“Like a good book, it has a beginning, a middle and an end.”   Critics Platinum

	Robert Whitley - 2005 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition - 28-29 May 2005

“Nice fruit flavors of tea and cherry, silky entry, decent acidity to allow it to work with foods. Great value.”   “Wine of the Week”

	- Dan Berger - The Villages Daily Sun - 23 February 2005

“plumy fruit and jam with smoky toasted oak.”

	- Entrée - October 2004

"This deep purple wine is soft and tasty.  Nutty violet and vanilla oak aromas enhance the fruity blackberry and cassis flavors.  I mentioned first time red wine drinkers a moment ago, and this is an even better example with which to start.  It’s soft, has great flavors and pairs with almost anything.  Try it; I think you’ll like it."

	- William S. "Sandy" Kaplan - Los Angeles Times - 30 July 2003

"With a smoky edge and more density than Lindemans, Stonehaven's version is another example of careful Australian blending to fashion a sumptuous wine at a reasonable price."

	- Michael Apstein - Boston Globe - October 2002

"An Australian Merlot with some 'flesh' and tannin that can age several years."

	- Arthur Damond - San Jose Mercury News - June 2002

"Young, but already very drinkable. Stonehaven's impressed us again and again with the quality of their wines. This Australian is pungent with pepper, blackberry and barrel. Stock up and enjoy."   ***+

	- AlcoholReviews.com - September 2001

"With plummy fruit aromas and toasty oak, this wine is soft and rich with fruit flavors. An excellent example of a reasonably priced varietal wine..."

	- Sandy Kaplan - Times (LA) - May 2002

"Assuredly one of the best low-priced Merlots we've ever tasted. Medium-bodied, fruity, and serves up vanilla and soft tobacco and tea notes. A lively and engaging Australian. Superb value."

	- AlcoholReviews.com - April 2001

"Elegant fruit characters balanced with soft toasty oak. Well-rounded, plumy fruits, finishes clean and fresh."

	- Julie Duval - Daily Comet (LA) - November 2000

"Full berry and cocoa aromas, a flavorful palate with fluid dark fruit, some interesting herb notes and a touch of bell pepper mark this commendable easy drinker."   87

	- Wine Enthusiast - November 2000

"...shows black cherry, plum, blackberry, raspberry and vanilla oak on the nose all of which continue in the bright, forward palate which adds light tannin, red cherry, and toasty oak before a long, focused finish with the fruit over light, fine tannins and some oak. Very attractive."

	- The Colorado Wine News - October 2000

  Double Gold and Best Merlot Award

	- San Francisco International Wine Competition - June 2000

"...has generous currant, dark plum and vanilla flavors, a smooth texture and a persistent, fruit-forward finish"

	- Robert Neralich - Arkansas Democrat Gazette - March 2000

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