From Murray Darling, an area that straddles northern Victoria and New South Wales, this Merlot is an easy quaffer with bouncy plum fruit, earth and just the right amount of oak. Just one of many great McPherson’s buys; their Shiraz and Chardonnay (both 87 points, $7) are also worthwhile.——D.T.(11/15/2003)—— 85

The bouquet is meaty, dense and full of berry jam, but it is also rather generic and lacks any particular individual notes. That said, the wine is quite good, bordering on excellent. In the mouth, you get a full blast of black cherry and licorice, and the finish is typically full and chewy. Not that complex but very good in a straight-ahead way. —M.S.——M.S.(3/1/2003)—— 89

It’s black cherries all the way in this clean, dry wine. The fruit is ripe and polished, wrapped in chewy tannins, and set off by crisp acidity. Little evident oak, but the pretty flavors really don’t need any. ——S.H.(6/1/2002)—— 84