Monterra was founded in 2012 on the basis of an undeniable admiration for almighty Mother Nature, and the desire to bring exceptional wines to Australian tables and beyond. The art of élevage is the skill of blending in the cellar, raising the potential of exceptional grapes to deliver something profound in the bottle. Meticulously blended parcels of wine, and the mystery of specially selected oak barrels deliver intense flavours, complexity and palate length. Élevage wines celebrate the honed skills and years of craftmanship.

M-Block is sourced from premium vineyards in the Fleurieu Peninsula. Handcrafted with the greatest care, we strive to emphasise winemaking purity, so we can tell the story of the vines. Our philosophy is to only bottle what is good.

My pick of the latest offerings, the blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc is a powerhouse of concentrated flavour and immense drinkability. The beautiful notes of blackberry, mulberry, plums, cocoa, cola and cedar, on the nose and palate, align with dusty tannins and ample acidity make for a very enjoyable drop. Date: Jan 2024; Price: $20.00; Rating: 93 Points; Brendan Black; Wine Pilot

Blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. The quality on offer here is comfortably above average, regardless of price, so much so that when the price was revealed, it was a (good) surprise. It tastes of pure blackcurrant, boysenberry, green olives, spearmint and creamed cedarwood, and the mouthfeel of it, the structure, the flow and the finish are all sitting pretty. Date: Dec 2023; Alcohol: 14%; Price: $20.00; Drink by: 2029; Rating: 93 Points & Special Value Star; Campbell Mattinson; James Halliday Wine Companion