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Brendan Black

Brendan is a Melbourne-based writer, filmmaker, playwright and composer. Since 2013, he has been published in national and regional Australian titles such as Halliday Magazine, Gourmet Traveller Wine, Grapegrower and Winemaker, Gippslandia, Gippsland Lifestyle, Yarra Valley and Ranges and Gippsland Country Life magazines. Brendan was a finalist for 2024 Wine Communicator Awards in the ‘Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column’ category. He has completed the WSET Level 3 course (gaining a Distinction) and has a passion for small producers of wine, beer and spirits. He is also the co-editor of ‘I’m Not a Film Star: David Bowie as Actor’ for Bloomsbury Academic.
Patrick Two Blocks Cabernet Sauvignon NV ()

Patrick Coonawarra Two Blocks Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

‘Two Blocks’ is the mid-tier range and everything is dialled up slightly here. It’s an incredibly vibrant and energy-filled wine...
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Patrick Wrattonbully Two Blocks Shiraz 2020

This is a dark and brooding wine which illustrates that Shiraz is just as at home in the Coonawarra as...
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Patrick Coonawarra P-Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Patrick’s ‘P-Series’ of wines has to be one of the best value offerings you’ll find in the market; in fact,...
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Balgownie Estate Bendigo Limited Release Shiraz 2024

It’s always great to see a wine with a name like “reserve” or “limited release” which actually does feel special....
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Balgownie Estate Bendigo Limited Release Shiraz 2023

The Balgownie Limited Release wines sit between their affordable and more premium offerings, yet the quality on display is always...
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Black & Ginger Great Western Shiraz 2024

‘Like walking through an alpine forest’ is how I summed up this Shiraz. It shows a wonderful mix of characters,...
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Black & Ginger Great Western Rapunzel Riesling 2025

A charming wine with a little more daintiness than previous vintages. Aromatically, it’s still quite shy, although I imagine this...
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Black & Ginger Great Western Miss Piggy 2025

Miss Piggy is always one of my favourite Black and Ginger wines. The Orange Muscat (official name Muscat Fleur d’Oranger)...
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Black & Ginger Great Western Lucy’s Rosé 2025

It must be great to have a wine named after you, particularly one as nice as this Rosé. Made from...
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Black & Ginger Great Western Grenache Nouveau 2025

A vibrant wine that makes a cheeky nod to Beaujolais with its style (except for the different grape) and it’s...
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Black & Ginger Grampians The Hunter Riesling 2025

This is a tribute to their beloved dog Hunter, who seemed to enjoy nothing more than chasing rabbits, hares and...
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Angus Porterhouse Heathcote Shiraz 2024

As you might guess from the name, this wine is a steak-lover’s dream. It’s big and brash and a tad...
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Angus the Bull Central Victoria Cabernet Sauvignon 2025

It says Cabernet on the label but it’s also got 5% Shiraz, 4% Merlot and 2% Durif, with fruit coming...
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Angus Heathcote Black Angus Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

100% Cabernet sauvignon from Colbinabbin Estate in Heathcote. It’s a lovely wine that announces itself well with a beautiful nose...
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Riposte Adelaide Hills En Garde Pinot Noir 2025

Coming from an excellent, dry vintage, the ‘En Garde’ packs a punch with flavour while still being modest with alcohol....
Patrick of Coonawarra Joanna Shiraz NV

Patrick of Coonawarra Wrattonbully Joanna Shiraz 2020

Like the Block 5 Aged Riesling, the Joanna Shiraz is always a wine to watch out for; while 2020 was...
Patrick Two Blocks Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Patrick of Coonawarra Cabernet 2021

A stunning vintage for Coonawarra resulted in this delicious Cabernet. With a bit of bottle age now, there’s a lovely...
Patrick Single Site BlockAged NV

Patrick of Coonawarra Block 5 Aged Riesling 2018

I honestly never tire of reviewing the latest vintage of the Block 5 Aged, as it’s one of my favourite...
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Lane’s End Macedon Ranges Chardonnay 2024

This is a stellar release from Lane’s End that was immensely enjoyable from beginning to end. It welcomes you with...
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Purple Hands Barossa Valley Aglianico 2024

Aglianico is a tannic grape at home in southern Italy yet it’s great to see it spreading across Australia now....
Purple Hands Barossa Valley Montepulciano

Purple Hands Barossa Valley Montepulciano 2024

I’m a huge fan of Aussie Montepulciano and always look forward to trying another one. The Purple Hands is complex...
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Colours of the South Barossa Valley Rosso 2023

A beautiful blend of Montepulciano, Aglianico and Negroamaro, the 2023 shows lovely fruit immediately upon opening the bottle and a...
Deep Purple Hands Barossa Shiraz

Purple Hands Barossa Valley Deep Purple Shiraz 2024

I was quite surprised to see the price of this wine as I expected it to cost a lot more,...
Purple Hands Barossa Valley Shiraz

Purple Hands Barossa Valley Shiraz 2024

The Purple Hands Shiraz is one of the most reliable Barossa Shirazes around and I enjoy it every vintage. Rich...

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Topé Clare Valley Riesling Duo

Topé Clare Valley “100 Osmond” Riesling 2024 – $28 – 93+ points Topé Clare Valley “Dual Citizen” Riesling 2024 –...
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The Trapeze Artist

You may know Brian Conway as one of the founders of Barossa-based winery Izway, started in 2003. After selling his...
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Yelland & Papps is the brand of husband-and-wife duo Susan (née Yelland) and Michael Papps, based in Nuriootpa in the...
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Dream Bird is the label of WA-based winemaker Kym Carr. After a degree in horticulture, Kym travelled to Europe, where...
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Head, Heart & Home

It’s quite understandable that Alex Head became somewhat obsessed with the Shiraz-based wines of the Northern Rhône. With a background...
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Raquel and Hugh Jones of Weathercraft in Beechworth both came to wine from property-related industries, realising they wanted to do...
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