From well-regarded Bendigo vineyard Blackjack, this wine is terrific value for a second label. Made from non-estate shiraz grapes grown in a couple of very good Bendigo vineyards,it's an inky young wine,dense and deeply coloured,with high-toned, very concentrated blackberry and spice aromas.Subtle hints of earth and vaguely aniseedy complexities adds dimension,and the richly flavoured,smooth palate has intensity,but it's not too heavy. Soft,ripe tannins give lip-smacking balance.An honest regional red that's great buying.

  Ralph Kyte Powell The Age Epicure Uncorked 5 August 2008

This bold, spiced Bendigo Region red has 85 per cent cabernet and 15 per cent merlot from Blackjack vineyard of pharmacist Ian McKenzie and school teacher friend Ken Pollock.It is garnet-hued and has cherry brandy and licorice scents.Vibrant blackcurrant flavour zips onto the front of the palate and spearmint plum and cloves fruit characters combine with nutty oak on the middle palate.Mineral-edges tannins feature at the finish.

It would be good with seared tuna steak with picked beetroot, pear and watercress salad,crispy lamb and stir-fried udon noodles, or steal Diane.

John Lewis The Newcastle Herald  5th December 2007         4 stars

I have a soft spot for Bendigo shiraz. I love its inky intensity and savour.Blackjack has made its 2005 Major's Line along these lines, and it is delicious.Dark-berry fruit flavours are unhindered by any overt oak influences, and it finishes dry, with some fine but firm tannin. A little extra time in the cellar will help it develop into a great Victorian shiraz.

Fergus McGhie The Canberra Times 5 December 2007              5 stars $$$$$                           

Last year's was a beauty and so too is this.Wow, this is terrific at any price.Sweet coconut and mint rises over savoury , peppery plums, the savouriness and sweetness clubbing together into a seriously seductive package. Drink 2008-2014    93 points

Campbell Mathison THE WINEFRONT    www.winefront.com.au                       

Cassis,blackberry, mint, black licorice and smokey burnt wood smell. On the palate sweet dark fruit, mint, toast and fine tannins. Medium to full bodied.Very attractive but not sure where those smokey smells come from.. or where they will go.                                                                                                                              90 points

Gary Walsh    Winorama      www.winorama.com.au

Rich dark fruit,cherry, licorice,chocloate and cherry vanilla oak.Very seductive. On the palate plump black fruit, plum, raspberry and vanilla flavours.Impressive weight and depth but no heaviness. Very supple fine tannins and long sweet fruit.                                                                                                                                              94 points

Gary Walsh  Winorama    www.winorama.com.au

Schtonking! Smooth and slippery and rippling with flavour. Delicious all the way through to the back palate-it reaches way back into your mouth. Chocolate,mint,plush plums,silken texture,lively acidity,background spice-for the sytle,this is fabulous.  Drink 2008-2015   93 points

Campbell Mattison " Wine Front-The Red Album"                                                                  www.winefront.com.au