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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.
Hesketh Midday Somewhere Shiraz Media

Hesketh Wines Midday Somewhere Shiraz 2023

I have friends who will look at the score here and think I have lost my mind. For them, it...
Hesketh Twist of Fate Cabernet Sauvignon Low

Hesketh Wines Twist of Fate Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

A really good vintage across the Limestone Coast – in particular, southern Coonawarra for this wine – is a great...
Indomitus Shiraz

Gundog Estate Indomitus Rutilus 2023

An old fashioned blend (yes, they say that everything eventually comes back into fashion, although why these delicious wines ever...
Indomitus Semillon

Gundog Estate Indomitus Albus 2024

Honestly, I simply refuse to believe that this has not been named after someone’s favourite movies – Indomitus for Jurassic...
Indomitus Rosa

Gundog Estate Indomitus Rosa 2024

A delicious and well-crafted Rosé made from Sangiovese from the Freeman vineyard in the Hilltops region in New South Wales....
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Howard Park Terroir Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

The Margaret River region’s flagship red variety puts in a stellar performance here. An opaque maroon hue, the nose offers...
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Howard Park Terroir Margaret River Shiraz 2023

Inky purple maroon. The nose offers us plums, cassis, dark chocolate, dried herbs and bay leaves. There is a supple...
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Howard Park Terroir Great Southern Riesling 2024

A really impressive example of Riesling from the Great Southern region, this is amazing buying. Fill your cellar and you’ll...
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Howard Park Terroir Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2024

A gleaming and yet transparent lemon hue here for this seriously good example of the Classic Dry White from the...
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Gold Turtle Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2023

Another wine which is simply stonking value. A crimson red hue, the nose exhibits notes of black fruits, tobacco leaves,...
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Gold Turtle Margaret River Shiraz 2023

The Gold Turtle range has a number of contenders for best value but for me, this is the winner, hands...
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Gold Turtle Margaret River Rosé 2024

An attractive, fresh, easy-drinking style of Rose, which will provide pleasure over the next few years. The colour is partridge...
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Gold Turtle Prosecco 2024

Very easy drinking here, for this pleasant and refreshing style of sparkler. A bottle of joy, ideal for enjoying with...
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Gold Turtle Margaret River Chardonnay 2024

A fine Margaret River Chardonnay for this money? You can’t walk past this. Cracking value. A pale lemon/straw hue, the...
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Gold Turtle Margaret River Chenin Blanc 2024

This is a really enjoyable, and excellent value, example of Chenin Blanc that make one wonder why we do not...
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Gold Turtle Western Australian Pinot Grigio 2024

This will surely prove to be a crowd pleaser. Near transparent lemon in colour, the nose offers notes of pears,...
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Gold Turtle Great Southern Riesling 2024

The Great Southern region has established itself as one of our very best for Riesling, perhaps the best outside the...
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Gold Turtle Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Terrific value here, in this traditional blend from the West. The colour is a pale lemon, while the nose suggests...
Cullen LR

Cullen Cabernet Merlot 2024

A record hot and dry vintage has given us a red of extensive flavour, rich and ripe. It is a...
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Cullen Ephraim 2024

Ephraim Mayo Clarke was Kevin John Cullen’s grandfather, Vanya’s great-grandfather, a Member of Parliament who preceded the efforts of his...
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Cullen Preservative Free Malbec 2024

Fermented naturally, there is no added preservatives, yeasts, tannins or acid. From the Mangan vineyard, this is barrel-fresh! A deep,...
Cullen LowR

Cullen Red Moon 2024

From the Mangan vineyard, this is harvested on the night of a red moon – which happens during “a total...
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Cullen Dancing in the Moonlight 2024

This is made by the team using the saignèe method, with grapes biodynamically grown. All red varieties grown by Cullen...
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Cullen Grace Madeline 2024

This is the prestige Sauv Blanc and Sem blend in the Cullens range and it drinks like it. Named in...

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...
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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...

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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