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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.
The Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir NV

De Bortoli Cool Climate Pinot Noir 2024

The winemakers for this appealing Yarra Valley Pinot are Webber and Harrop, but it is actually Kate and Jai, respectively....
FOCHXX Website Bottle Shot

Forrest Marlborough Chardonnay 2023

In crafting this thoroughly enjoyable Chardonnay from Marlborough in New Zealand, the team have sourced fruit from two very different...
FORSXX Website Bottle Shot

Forrest Marlborough Riesling 2023

A slightly off-dry style of Riesling from the Southern Valleys district in Marlborough, New Zealand. This is a style that...
HERSMB NV Website Bottle Shot

Harewood Estate Mt Barker Riesling 2024

Surely this is one of the great bargains, not just for Riesling, in Australian wine. As much as I thoroughly...
HERSFR NV Bottle Shot

Harewood Estate Frankland River Riesling 2024

The fruit here is sourced from a single vineyard in the Frankland River sub-region of the Great Southern district in...
HERSDM NV Website Bottle Shot

Harewood Estate Denmark Riesling 2024

Another very fine Riesling from the Denmark sub-region of the Great Southern, this is also a notch above the previous...
HECHXX NV Website Bottle Shot

Harewood Estate Denmark Chardonnay 2024

This is a fine Chardonnay from the Denmark sub-region of the Great Southern in Western Australia. Fermentation was in French...
APPNXX NV Website Bottle Shot

Apricus Hill Denmark Pinot Noir 2024

Pinot Noir from the Denmark sub-region in the Great Southern district in Western Australia, is not one’s first thought when...
HECNRE NV Website Bottle Shot

Harewood Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Compelling evidence that Margaret River is not the only region in Western Australia which can make stunning Cabernet Sauvignon. From...
HEPNFL NV Website Bottle Shot

Harewood Estate Flux V Denmark Pinot Noir 2024

Striking labels, the Flux series is basically a way for the team at Harewood Estate to push the envelope. And...
HECHFL NV Website Bottle Shot

Harewood Estate Flux III Denmark Chardonnay 2024

The fruit here is from the Denmark sub-region in Western Australia’s Great Southern district, and it takes advantage of the...
CFPNXX NV Website Bottle Shot

Castel Firmian Pinot Nero 2023

Bottled under Diam, Pinot Nero is the Italian name for the more familiar Pinot Noir, this example is from the...
FAROXX NV Website Bottle Shot

Feudo Arancio Rosato Sicily 2024

A fresh Rosé from Sicily, bottled under Diam. The colour is that of a fading sunset orange. The nose offers...
MMROXX NV Website Bottle Shot

Mezzacorona Meso di Mezzo Pinot Grigio Rosé 2024

It is well known that the Pinot Grigio/Gris grape can provide more colour than we normally see with traditional white...
GLWBSV Website Bottle Shot

Domaine Galuval Le Coq Volant Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Blanc 2022

For those looking to expand their vinous horizons, hard to go past this most appealing French white. From the Rhône...
GLSHCC Website Bottle Shot

Domaine Galuval Le Carré du Coq Syrah 2020

Light years away from the typical Syrah/Shiraz we enjoy locally. Not that there is anything wrong with that. This is...
GLCANV Website Bottle Shot

Domaine Galuval Noir Ventabren 2019

Those of you experienced in drinking wines made from the Caladoc grape, raise your hand. Didn’t think so. Now is...
GLRBLM Website Bottle Shot

Domaine Galuval La Montagne Cairanne 2020

Grenache is usually the dominant variety in this Rhône Valley region, supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre. Dollops of Cinsault and...
GLRBLC Website Bottle Shot

Domaine Galuval Rasteau Les Collins 2020

Wines from the Rasteau region can come from a wide variety of different grapes, though it is usually very much...
GLRBCV Website Bottle Shot ()

Domaine Galuval Le Coq Volant Côtes-du-Rhône Villages 2022

Bottled under Diam, this wine is a wonderful example of just how far quality winemaking has come in recent decades....
PCSACR NV Website Bottle Shot ()

Astrale Chianti Riserva 2021

A very fine vintage for this Tuscan red, the wine is bottled under cork. The colour is a dark cherry/maroon....
CFIRTR NV Website Bottle Shot ()

Mezzacorona Castel Firmian Teroldego Rotaliano Superiore Reserva 2022

Teroldego is a variety indigenous to the northeast regions of Italy. There are a couple of local examples, but they...
JLCHPF Website Bottle Shot ()

Jean Loren La Coronille Pouilly Fuisse 2022

Sadly, long gone are the days when this sort of money would buy you a bottle of Grand Cru Burgundy....
GLGBLC Website Bottle Shot

Domaine Galuval Le Clavelle No 8 2019

Grenache may be the flavour of the month among discerning drinkers but White Grenache (Grenache Blanc, if you prefer) is...

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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...

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...
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