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Ken Gargett

Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
Lake Doctor Shiraz WEB

Zonte’s Footsteps Lake Doctor Shiraz Langhorne Creek 2023

It seems that one of the tragedies of modernity is that the design of the new stadium in Perth prevents...
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Frankland Estate Shiraz 2023

An impressive red from the wonderful 2023 vintage, fermentation was achieved as slowly as possible, followed by an extended maceration...
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Frankland Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

It seems that the glories of the 2023 vintage can be found in wine regions across the State. First plantings...
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Frankland Estate Riesling 2025

Cracking value Riesling from the Great Southern in Western Australia, the wine is fermented almost entirely in stainless steel and...
FE Chardonnay Non Vintage web

Frankland Estate Chardonnay 2024

The fruit for this really impressive Chardonnay comes from the Isolation Ridge Vineyard in the Great Southern region of Western...
StJohns Brook SauvignonBlanc NoVint

St Johns Brook Sauvignon Blanc 2025

A bright and exuberant Margaret River Savvy, the colour here is a gleaming green gold. The wine opens with attractive...
Opt Cab Sav NV

St Johns The Terraces Optimus Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Always exciting to see flagship wines which have been given some time in the cellar before release. This cracking Margaret...
Opt Chard NV

St Johns The Terraces Optimus Chardonnay 2025

This flagship Margaret River Chardonnay is certainly youthful, but it is surely heading in the right direction. Near transparent yellow...
ATCF SSB NV

St Johns As the Crow Flies Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2025

What they used to call the Margaret River Classic Dry White, this blend sees a slight majority in favour of...
StJohnsBrook CabernetSauvignon NoVint ()

St Johns Brook Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

A fine Margaret River Cabernet, which is great buying. Dark plum/magenta in colour, on the nose we have notes of...
StJohnsBrook CabernetSauvignon NoVint ()

St Johns Brook Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

It is the amazing 2023 vintage in Margaret River which has been deluged with accolades, and deservedly so, but on...
StJohnsBrook Shiraz NoVint

St Johns Brook Shiraz 2024

A most impressive Shiraz from Margaret River. The colour is a gloriously vibrant dark purple. On the nose, we have...
Neldner

Neldner Road Shiraz 2022

Dave Powell is very much a Barossa institution and his wines from this new operation are proving to be quite...
Superstition Reserve Riesling for website

Claymore Superstition Watervale Reserve Riesling 2025

Another superb Clare Valley Riesling from the Watervale sub-region, the fruit comes from a dry grown vineyard with vines in...
Parker Estate Scarlett Block Cabernet Sauvignon

Parker Estate Scarlett Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

The pick of the new Vineyard Series is surely this delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. The Scarlett Block is part of the...
Parker Estate Rocky Block Shiraz

Parker Estate Rocky Block Shiraz 2023

Also part of the new Vineyard Series is this thoroughly enjoyable Shiraz. The Rocky Block is on McLeod’s Tirrike Vineyard...
Parker Estate Mill Block Chardonnay

Parker Estate Mill Block Chardonnay 2025

Parker Estate has introduced a new Vineyard Series to their portfolio, which replaces the old Cool Climate range. It is...
Tapanappa PiccadillyValley Vineyard Chardonnay ()

Tapanappa Chardonnay Piccadilly Valley 2025

The 2025 vintage in the Adelaide Hills is the warmest, driest and earliest vintage on record, certainly providing a change...
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Holm Oak Arneis 2025

Arneis may never have been destined for the mainstream, but I’m always a little surprised that it hasn’t taken off...
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Holm Oak Chardonnay 2025

Three clones of Chardonnay were used here, with the fruit coming from two discrete blocks. A natural fermentation in barrel,...
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Holm Oak The Protégé Pinot Noir 2025

It is by design that the team ensure that this wine is more fruit forward and slightly lighter than what...
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Holm Oak Pinot Gris 2025

The team here were very pleased with the quality of fruit from the 2025 vintage when it came to their...
IOSD Pinot Noir Bottle Shot

Island of Sliding Doors Pinot Noir 2025

Impressive Tassie Pinot Noir here, sourced from vineyards in the Coal River Valley and Derwent sub-regions. The Coal River Vineyard...
Gilo Special Reserve Shiraz ()

GILO McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022

McLaren Vale Shiraz from an excellent producer and a stellar vintage, hard to go wrong. The colour is a black/...

Stories

PEN La Chapelle Grange winemakers barrels

La Chapelle Grange 2022

The second release of this extraordinary Rhone/Aussie blend, crafted by two of the world’s great wineries, Jaboulet and Penfolds, has...
AMW Collection

Appellation Marlborough Wine Announces 2025 Annual Collection

A benchmark selection of certified Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) has announced its highly anticipated Annual Collection for...
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The Barossa Wine Guide 2026

By Ken Gargett, Andrew Caillard MW and Tony Love The Barossa is unquestionably Australia’s most famous wine region. Certainly not...
Penfolds Collection Credit Marten Ascenzo

Penfolds 2025 – Ken Gargett

Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling 2025 ($45)A classic Bin 51. It might be early days but this wine suggests...
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Penfolds 2023 – ‘The Aussies’

There is no release more anticipated by winelovers in Australia than the annual Penfold’s Collection and of course, most especially...

Artisans of the Barossa (2021 Grenache Project)

One of the more interesting projects currently afloat in Aussie wine at the moment, especially appropriate given the skyrocketing interest...
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