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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.
M Burton Shiraz II

M. Burton Shiraz II NV

We don’t see many multi-vintage reds, especially at this price level, but this terrific wine from the Canberra region might...
SWC BlancDeBlancs NV

Slow Wine Co Blanc de Blancs 2021

And now for something completely different. Sparkling wine from the orange region in NSW. A blanc de blancs – 100%...
SWC BlancDeNoir NV

Slow Wine Co Blanc de Noirs 2021

Also from the Bantry Grove Vineyard, the mirror image of its sibling, a Blanc de Noir – 100% Pinot Noir....
Cooks Lot Iconique Barrique Pinot Noir

Cook’s Lot Iconique Barrique Pinot Noir 2019

Again, great to see wines with considerable age under their belt before release. The fruit here was cold soaked for...
Cooks Lot Iconique Barrique Chardonnay

Cook’s Lot Iconique Barrique Chardonnay 2019

From the Orange region in New South Wales, the aim here is surely to produce a Chardonnay of complexity. Barrel...
Austin's Chardonnay

Austins Chardonnay 2024

The fruit here comes from the Moorabool Valley at Geelong. The wine is the result of a selection from the...
Ft Prosecco NV

6ft6 King Valley Prosecco NV

King Valley is proving itself the top Aussie region for the Prosecco grape and this is another fine example. A...
Four Chambers Cabernet

Thompson Estate Four Chambers Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

2023 is proving to be a superb year for Cabernet Sauvignon in the Margaret River region, and this is no...
Thompson Estate Chardonnay

Thompson Estate Margaret River Chardonnay 2024

It is early days for this very fine Margaret River Chardonnay, which surely has more improvement in it. The fermentation...
Thompson Estate Four Chambers SB

Thompson Estate Four Chambers Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Margaret River Savvy for drinking over the next couple of years, this is pale lemon in colour. The nose is...
Zero Sparkling Pinot Chard

Thompson Estate Sparkling Zero Dosage Pinot Noir Chardonnay Margaret River 2019

West Aussie sparkling looking good. A Chardonnay Pinot Noir blend from Margaret River, the wine sees no dosage. Personally, I...
LOTTouriga

Land of Tomorrow McLaren Vale Touriga 2023

Touriga is a major contributor to the great vintage ports from the Douro Valley in Portugal, not to mention many...
LOTPinotNoir

Land of Tomorrow Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2024

A most alluring style of Pinot Noir from an excellent vintage for the Adelaide Hills, the wine saw maturation for...
LOTChard

Land of Tomorrow Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2024

Barrel fermentation here for this compelling Chardonnay made from Adelaide Hills fruit. 100% French oak in use, with maturation for...
LOTWchard

Land of Tomorrow Wrattonbully Chardonnay 2024

Chardonnay from Wrattonbully which is unoaked, this is certain to provide fresh and delicious drinking over summer and beyond. The...
Love Symbol

Zonte’s Footsteps Love Symbol Grenache McLaren Vale 2023

It is a Grenache with lots to love. Deep crimson, the nose gives us red fruits, florals and dried herbs,...
Violet Beauregard

Zonte’s Footsteps Violet Beauregard Malbec Langhorne Creek 2023

It is a cracking Malbec. Crimson red, this is plush and hedonistic, with all of the flavour Langhorne Creek can...
Excalibur

Zonte’s Footsteps Excalibur Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills 2025

A very pale lemon hue, this is clean and fresh and very aromatic, with the perfumes filling the room upon...
Z Force

Zonte’s Footsteps Z-Force McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021

As a very young kid, I have a vague recollection of an early TV show called Spyforce with some legendary...
Apple Betty Chardonnay

Zonte’s Footsteps Apple Betty Chardonnay 2024

The name of this wine is linked to that rich and comforting dish, apple betty, which is also apparently known...
Tyrrell's Vat Semillon Bottle Shot xpx

Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon 2019

One of this country’s iconic wines, this Hunter Semillon is always a thrilling offering. From the team’s oldest Semillon blocks,...
Tyrrell's Vat Chardonnay Bottle Shot xpx

Tyrrells Vat 47 Chardonnay 2023

An exceptional Vat 47, the fruit coming entirely from the Short Flat vineyard, which was planted by Murray Tyrrell in...
Vat Shiraz xpx

Tyrrells Vat 9 Shiraz 2023

If I have seen a better Vat 9 than this release, I’m not sure I can recall it. This is...
Tyrrell's Vat Chardonnay Semillon Bottle Shot xpx

Tyrrells Vat 63 Chardonnay/Semillon 2023

A family favourite (the Tyrrell family, that is, although no doubt many others as well), the blend is 55% Chardonnay...

Stories

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...
MartenAscenzo Penfolds PenfoldsMediaPreview D

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...

Alkina – The Curious Box of Paradoxes

Alkina is a curious box of paradoxes. Seemingly unlimited resources but still tiny; a small local operation yet part of...

Cumulus and Quilty & Gransden

They say that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. Perhaps, but I would suggest that the Australian wine industry...

Greenock Creek New Releases 2021

It was back in 1984 that the first grapes were picked for the inaugural vintage from Greenock Creek wines. Taken...
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