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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.
TLE BOTTLE

Kym Tolley The Last Emperor Cabernet Shiraz 2022

Kym Tolley is one of Australia’s more experienced winemakers and he most especially made a great impression during his time...
TLE bottle

Kym Tolley The Last Emperor Cabernet Shiraz 2021

I guess that if you are starting a new project to make wine, then kicking off in one of the...
Losing My Religion Montepulciano NV Square

Claymore Losing My Religion Montepulciano 2024

Every vintage, this is reliably one of the country’s best Montepulcianos. A touch of oak is included, but if you...
Darkside of the Moon NV Square (winepilot)

Claymore Dark Side of the Moon Shiraz 2023

An always popular example of what Shiraz can offer from the Clare Valley, this is excellent value. Dark maroon with...
Richard Hamiton The Surgeon

Richard Hamilton The Surgeon McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023

For those harbouring concerns that the 2023 vintage might not quite sit alongside other recent harvests, a wine like this...
Richard Hamilton Long Stem Sparkling Fiano

Richard Hamilton Long Stem McLaren Vale Sparkling Fiano NV

See something new every day? Possibly, but this certainly qualifies. A Sparkling Fiano is definitely a first for me. The...
Smuggler GSM

Richard Hamilton Smuggler GSM 2023

From the Estate’s Farm Block in McLaren Vale, this has a maroon core with a dark crimson rim. On the...
Richard Hamilton Sombra Tempranillo

Richard Hamilton Sombra Tempranillo McLaren Vale 2025

Maturation for this local example of Spain’s most famous variety was on lees and there is a small quantity of...
Richard Hamilton Ghost Hill Shiraz

Richard Hamilton Ghost Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023

They say that anyone in the wine game must be quite mad and it seems that this wine harks back...
Richard Hamilton Les Collines Pinot Gris NV Low Res

Richard Hamilton Les Collines Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2025

Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris, the wine had twenty-four hours of skin contract before pressing and 1/3rd was fermented in older...
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St Hugo Private Collection Rowland Flat Shiraz 2016

Not often that a ten-year-old Aussie red lands on the market, especially one which really is such good value. 2016...
MRE Trueman Vineyard Pinot Noir F

Main Ridge Estate Trueman Vineyard Pinot Noir 2025

The Trueman Vineyard is located in the Red Hill sub-region of the Mornington Peninsula, as is Main Ridge Estate itself,...
MRE Trueman Vineyard Chardonnay F

Main Ridge Estate Trueman Vineyard Chardonnay 2025

The Trueman Vineyard wines will be new to most lovers of Main Ridge Estate. This was a nearby vineyard established...
Flametree Non Vintage Cabernet Merlot

Flametree Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2023

2023 is simply a magic vintage for the Margaret River region and this wine reflects just how good it was....
Flametree SRS Non Vintage Wallcliffe Syrah

Flametree S.R.S. Syrah 2024

From the Karridale sub-region of Margaret River, the fruit comes from the Hamlin Bay Vineyard, with vines of thirty years...
WISHNW NV Website Bottle Shot

Windowrie The Natural Wine Co Shiraz 2025

The Natural Wine Co offers wines made under organic principles and preservative free, which come from the western regions of...
HECHXX NV Website Bottle Shot ()

Harewood Estate Chardonnay 2025

Chardonnay from a fine vintage in the Denmark sub-region of the Great Southern in Western Australia. Deep straw, on the...
Windowrie Sakura Cab Sauv

Windowrie Sakura Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

Cabernet Sauvignon which celebrates the link between the local community at Cowra and Japan, via the Prisoner of War camp...
Windowrie—The Mill Shiraz S

Windowrie The Mill Shiraz 2025

Cracking value for this Central Ranges Shiraz, which is so obviously different in its cool climate form as to what...
Windowrie—The Mill Pinot Noir

Windowrie The Mill Pinot Noir 2026

An excellent value Pinot Noir from the Central Ranges in New South Wales. Quite delicious drinking. The Mill was a...
Windowrie—Sakura Rosé S

Windowrie Sakura Rosé 2026

Wines under the Sakura label pay homage to the annual festival of cherry blossoms held in Cowra, in honour of...
WIROML Website Bottle Shot

Windowrie The Mill Rosé 2026

The variety for this rather enjoyable and youthful Rosé is described as ‘Rosé’, which leaves us none the wiser, of...
FAIWIN NV Website Bottle Shot

Feudo Arancio Inzolia 2025

Every year, this wine blows me away when it comes to just what cracking value it represents. Inzolia, for those...
CFPGXX NV Website Bottle Shot

Mezzacorona Castel Firmian Riserva Pinot Grigio 2024

Castel Firmian is the premium label for the Mezzacorona cooperative, well known for excellent Pinot Grigio from the Trentino region...

Stories

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There is surely no wine region in this country which has more elite wineries than Margaret River. The advantage for...
PEN NV SpeRel CabShiraz SouthAus Superblend B Duo Cork

Penfolds Superblend

Every Australian winelover will surely be aware of just how much Penfolds love to release special wines, whether they have...
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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