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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.
OH Founders Shiraz

Organic Hill Founders Release Shiraz 2023

Opaque maroon in colour, again we are down the preservative free, organic path. Slightly savoury in character, the nose gives...
OH Founders Shiraz

Organic Hill Founders Release Shiraz 2021

Organic and preservative free, this Shiraz is from the excellent 2021 vintage. Much to like here. Vibrant purple/maroon in hue,...
OH Founders Shiraz

Organic Hill Founders Release Shiraz 2020

As one might expect from the name, organics and biodynamics are in play here. From McLaren Vale, we are also...
OH Founders Grenache

Organic Hill Founders Release McLaren Vale Grenache 2024

For me, this is a step up on the previous vintage, quite a considerable one. No doubt that can be...
OH Founders Grenache

Organic Hill Founders Release McLaren Vale Grenache 2023

A finely crafted McLaren Vale Grenache, grown and made according to biodynamic principles. Deep magenta purple in colour, this is...
COPReserveChardonnay

Chain of Ponds Reserve Chardonnay 2025

Maturation for this fine Adelaide Hills Chardonnay was in a mix of new and older French oak puncheons and hogsheads....
COPReservePinotNoir

Chain of Ponds Reserve Pinot Noir 2025

The fruit here came from a number of vineyards across the Kuitpo, Lenswood and Hahndorf sub-regions of the Adelaide Hills....
HR running creek pinot noir

Gioiello Running Creek Pinot Noir 2024

From the Upper Goulburn region, this is a most impressive Pinot Noir. Pale crimson in colour, the nose gives us...
Mt Concord Syrah HR

Gioiello Mt Concord Syrah 2021

A most appealing Syrah from the 2021 vintage, meaning it has already had some time to develop complexity and secondary...
Syrah HR

Gioiello Estate Syrah 2021

This may not sit on the same level as the Mt Concord Syrah the team offer but at the moment,...
Hirsch Hill Reserve Pinot Noir

Hirsch Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2024

The vines here are three decades old, the MV6 clone. Partial whole bunch fermentation is adopted here, with the wine...
Hirsch Hill Reserve Chardonnay

Hirsch Hill Reserve Chardonnay 2024

The Toolangi sub-region in the Yarra Valley is one of the most highly regarded, offering excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir....
NV Puppet Master Chardonnay xpx

Puppet Master Chardonnay 2024

An exceptionally well-priced Chardonnay from Western Australia, there is a gentle oak influence here. The colour is a very pale...
Puppet Master NV Prosecco x

Puppet Master Prosecco NV

A delightful local Prosecco, the method of production is noted as the ‘Italian method’. The second fermentation occurs in stainless...
Puppetmaster Grenache NV x

Puppet Master Grenache 2023

It is only in very recent years that the rest of Australia has discovered just how good Grenache can be...
NV Puppet Master Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot xpx

Puppet Master Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022

An impressive blend of these traditional Bordeaux varieties, the fruit comes from a range of West Australian regions. Ruby crimson...
NV Puppet Master Syrah xpx

Puppet Master Syrah 2023

West Aussie Shiraz, the aim here is to favour elegance over force. From a range of vineyards across the State,...
Marchand & Burch Mount Barker Chardonnay x

Marchand & Burch Mt Barrow Chardonnay 2024

This wine has been known as their Mount Barker Chardonnay in the past, but they have become a little more...
Marchand & Burch Village Pinot Noir x ()

Marchand & Burch Villages Pinot Noir 2024

The team employ a range of clones, eight in total, of Pinot Noir for this wine, including several Burgundian clones...
Marchand & Burch Mount Barrow Pinot Noir x

Marchand & Burch Mt Barrow Pinot Noir 2024

The Mount Barrow Vineyard in the Great Southern, which Jeff Burch and Pascal Marchand felt was the only genuine option...
Howard Park ASW Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz x

Howard Park ASW Cabernet Shiraz 2023

A Margaret River version of the famous Aussie red blend, finally, Amy Burch has her side of the family recognised...
Howard Park Petit Jete NV x

Howard Park Petit Jeté NV

The aim of this impressive West Aussie sparkler is to offer freshness and elegance and that is certainly how this...
Jeté Rose NV ()()

Howard Park Jeté Rosé NV

My favourite of the Jeté range, this is a cracking  Rosé, and wonderful value when compared with similar wines around...
Howard Park Grand Jete x

Howard Park Jeté Grand Vintage 2019

The fruit for the vintage Jeté hails from the Mount Barrow Vineyard in the Mount Barker sub-region of the Great...

Stories

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...
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...
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