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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.
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Dandelion Vineyards Firehawk of McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022

The fruit here hails from a single vineyard which overlooks Willunga in McLaren Vale, which the team believe provides their...
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Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz 2022

Much of the fruit for this stellar value Barossa Shiraz comes from vines more than a century old. Hand harvesting,...
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Dandelion Vineyards Faraway Tree at McLaren Vale Grenache 2022

We are seeing more and more great Grenache from regions like McLaren Vale and the Barossa and this sits comfortably...
Le Cellier de Saint Louis X PROVENCE ROSE

Le Cellier de Saint-Louis Rosé 2023

This Rosé from Provence offers the reasonably typical blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah. No malolactic fermentation to add to...
Brise Maritime Mediterranee IGP Rose

Brise Maritime Rosé IGP 2023

The grapes here, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, hail from the foothills of the Massif des Maures, in...
Lumière de Provence rosé NV

Lumiere de Provence Rosé 2023

This blend expands on the varieties usually included in Provence Rosé with Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle and Syrah. The vines are...
Anna Spinato Prosecco Brut Millesimato DOC

Anna Spinato Prosecco Brut DOC 2023

Prosecco from the Veneto region, fermented in tank over four weeks, the level of sugar sits at 11 grams/litre, which...
Unity Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Allegiance Unity Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Superb Margaret River Cabernet here, with a little influence from French oak, integrating well. The team usually look to the...
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Mosaique Organic Rosé IGP 2023

An intriguing mix of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah from Provence make up this pleasing Rosé. Malolactic fermentation has been blocked...
Hesketh Twist of Fate Cabernet Sauvignon Low

Hesketh Twist of Fate Cabernet 2021

Cabernet from the southern parts of Coonawarra, fermentation was in stainless steel open fermenters for a week, before the wine...
Dangerous Type Merlot low res

Hesketh Dangerous Type Merlot 2021

From the Limestone Coast, and rather curiously named, this pleasing Merlot is an easy drinking cracker. Perfect for enjoying in...
Hesketh Adelaide Hills Regional Selections Pinot Noir low res

Hesketh Regional Selection Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2022

This is a fine example of Pinot Noir from the Adelaide Hills, one with considerable promise for the future. Crimson/garnet,...
Hesketh Woodside Gamay Low

Hesketh Woodside Gamay 2023

A new one for this line from the team at Hesketh, Gamay is finally starting to enjoy a place in...
Hesketh Wild at Heart Rose Low

Hesketh Wild at Heart Rosé 2023

The grapes here are from the Wrattonbully region, fermented dry in stainless steel to ensure freshness is at its peak....
Hesketh Adelaide Hills Chardonnay Low

Hesketh Lobethal Chardonnay 2022

The fruit for this very attractive Chardonnay is sourced from a couple of vineyards, at the north and south perimeters...
Hesketh Lost Weekend Chardonnay Media ()

Hesketh Lost Weekend Chardonnay 2023

Richly hued gold in colour, this is a fresh and youthful style of Chardonnay. Bright and pleasing drinking with a...
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Hesketh Regional Selection Auburn Fiano Clare Valley 2023

Fiano continues its march to acceptability and respectability, it will soon be a variety which sits very comfortably with our...
Hesketh Rules of Engagement Pinot Grigio Media

Hesketh Rules of Engagement Pinot Grigio 2023

Fruit for this enjoyable Pinot Grigio hails from the Wrattonbully region in the Limestone Coast. After fermentation, the juice spent...
Hesketh Watervale Riesling low res

Hesketh Watervale Riesling 2023

If I may be allowed to insert a personal note, nothing one loves more than including a ‘blind’ Clare Riesling...
Hesketh Regional Selections Sauvignon Blanc low res

Hesketh Regional Selection Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills 2023

A more serious Savvy here, more classic in style, with fruit which has been sourced from the Adelaide Hills, which...
Hesketh Bright Young Things Sauvignon Blanc Low

Hesketh Bright Young Things Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Newly harvested Savvy sees very little skin contact here with fermentation in stainless steel, all to ensure ultimate freshness. Very...
St Hallett Sacred Ground Shiraz

St Hallett Sacred Ground Shiraz 2021

For eighty years, in various incarnations, St Hallett has been a source of excellent Barossa reds. Sacred ground, indeed! 2021...
Reynella Cabernet Sauvignon mL

Reynella Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

A deep maroon hue here, another very fine Cabernet from a warmer region, offering superb drinking, nonetheless. We have notes...
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Reynella Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

McLaren Vale Cabernet from a great vintage. This might not offer the immediate and classical varietal characters one expects from...

Stories

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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...

Duval on Grenache

The name, Duval, is and always will be inextricably linked with Grange. John Duval was chief winemaker at Penfold’s from...
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