Musky aromas of dark berries and plums are backed by cedary, pencil shavings-like oak and meaty nuances of suede leather. There is a hint of mint beneath its deeply layered palate of full to medium weight, whose blackberry, cassis and dark plum-like fruit show just a hint of jamminess. Framed by firm, mouth-coating tannins and backed by dark chocolate/vanilla oak, it’s long and smooth, before finishing with sour-edged fruit and a hint of leather. (Heathcote, $ 18.2/93, drink 2012-2016) Jeremy Oliver

Seppelt have resurrected the Mount Ida label for this new brand from their stable. The Mount Ida name has wonderful memories for me. The 1985 Mount Ida wines were part of my first wine epiphany with many a bottle heading into my nascent cellar, these threw a major crust after 3 months and aged beautifully. Seeing this name associated with Seppelt therefore hits a high point for me. The grapes for the wine are sourced from the original Mt Ida Vineyard.

Rich deep purple in colour. Delicious berry and spice on the nose showing quality regional characters demonstrated by the upper echelon of the Heathcote region. Rich full palate showing lovely white pepper and spice with plum; great breadth across the warm palate before a wonderful long finish. This is a wine with a future that befits it's heritage. Tasted from a finished tank sample. If the finished bottled wine gets close to this it'll at least sit in the upper end of the Excellent (90-94) range, crossing into Exceptional (95-97) territory as the wine develops and integrates. Lovely. Murray Almond StarPanel© August 2006

Very fruity nose. Bright Ribena and raspberry and plum - a Heathcote fruit bomb, for sure, but at the upper end of the class scales - with black, inky, vibrant fruit thundering through the palate. Creamy and clovey too, and you would pick it in an instant as a Heathcote shiraz. Very fresh. Very fruity. Very yum. Drink: 2006-2016. 93 points. Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

Aromas of boysenberry/raspberry, black pepper, creamy spicy oak and a little licorice. Give it time in the glass and some mint/menthol characters emerge. On the medium to full bodied palate vibrant summer berry fruit, aniseed, pepper, spice and mint. Fairly firm tannins of the fine powdery kind. Tart acidity sends the wine off balance at the moment but this might sort itself out with further bottle age. Dry spicy finish. Rated : 91+ Points. Alcohol : 14.5%. Price : $49.99. Closure : Screwcap. Drink : 2008 - 2016; Gary Walsh, The Wine Front