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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.
Aramis The Bastion Shiraz

Aramis Wines The Bastion McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022

The estate’s flagship Shiraz, from their own vineyards in McLaren Vale, this is impressive drinking. Deep magenta in colour, the...
Aramis White Label Cabernet

Aramis Wines McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Some seriously good value drinking to be had here. Warm climate Cabernet Sauvignon is not everyone’s cup of tea (or...
Aramis The Revolution Cabernet

Aramis Wines The Revolution Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

A single vineyard McLaren Vale Cabernet from a fine vintage, the wine spent a year and a half maturing in...
Aramis White Label Shiraz

Aramis Wines McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022

Another wine of stunning value from this McLaren Vale star. An opaque maroon hue, it is a savoury, even slightly...
Lange FifthGen Riesling

Lange Estate Fifth Generation Riesling Frankland River 2024

Frankland River provides some of Australia’s most thrilling Rieslings and this sits comfortably among them. There is a very gentle,...
Lange Providence Road Chardonnay

Lange Estate Providence Road Chardonnay Frankland River 2024

An impressive Frankland River Chardy, the colour here is a deep yellow straw. The nose exhibits notes of spices, crushed...
The Protector NV

Haselgrove Protector McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

When it comes to the name, ‘Protector’, we are still dealing with Hazel twigs and the mythical beliefs of protection...
Catkin NV

Haselgrove Catkin McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023

Catkins are the bunches of Hazel flowers seen in late winter and believed to signify the origin of harvest. The...
Col Cross Shiraz NV

Haselgrove Col Cross Single Vineyard Shiraz 2023

From a block of old vine Shiraz in McLaren Vale, this is under diam. Just 3,036 bottles made. The wine...
The Ambassador Shiraz NV

Haselgrove The Ambassador Single Vineyard Shiraz 2023

A single vineyard Shiraz, from vines planted back in 1972, just 3,150 bottles made and under diam, this is a...
Garden Series Pinot Noir

Bec Hardy Garden Series Pinot Noir 2024

 I think it would surprise many to learn that there is a patch of Pinot Noir in McLaren Vale –...
Vickery Eden Valley Riesling Low Res

Vickery Eden Valley Riesling 2024

For me, it was impossible to split this and its Clare Valley sibling, both from 2024. Two superb Rieslings and...
KING & I Nuovo Rosso()

Santa d’Sas The King and I Nuovo Rosso 2019

An intriguing King Valley offering of Merlot, supported by dollops of Dolcetto and Sangiovese, the finished blend is matured in...
ISH Pinot

Santa d’Sas Ish… Pinot Noir 2022

The King Valley may be better known for sparkling wine made from its Pinot Noir, but that does not mean...
TKI Fiano KV

Santa d’Sas The King and I Fiano 2021

One can almost envisage Yul Brynner sitting on his throne, enjoying a glass of this fine Fiano from the King...
ISH KVD

Santa d’Sas Ish… Dolcetto 2019

An aged King Valley Dolcetto is not everyday fare, at least not for me. Dolcetto is usually drunk fairly young,...

Château Tanunda Heritage Release Barossa Old Vines Shiraz 2023

From vines of at least thirty-five years of age, the colour here is a shimmering purple. The aromas are full...
Château Tanunda Grand Barossa GSM

Château Tanunda Grand Barossa GSM 2024

A Barossa blend of Grenache (44%), Shiraz (38%) and Mourvèdre (18%), the wine spent six months maturing in a mixed...
Château Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz

Château Tanunda The Château Shiraz 2023

Just 2,000 cases made of this delicious Barossa Shiraz – you’d be wise to make certain that at least one...
Elderton Shiraz NV hi res

Elderton Shiraz 2022

This is surely already a contender for one of the best value wines of the year. From a superb vintage,...
Elderton Ode to Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot NV

Elderton Ode To Lorraine Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2022

Perhaps not the most typical blend found in the wine world, 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Shiraz and 4% Merlot, the...
Elderton Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz NV

Elderton Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz 2023

Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Elderton’s founder, Neil Ashmead, who sadly passed away far too early in 1997,...
Elderton Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Elderton Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Harvested from estate vineyards in the Barossa, Nuriootpa (62%) and Craneford (38%). The wine spent a year and a half...
Hirsch Hill Pinot toolangi

Hirsch Hill Pinot Noir Toolangi 2024

From the Toolangi sub-region in the Yarra, this is a step up. The colour is a brighter, more vibrant crimson....

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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