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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.
Estate 'MansField' White Blend ()

Delatite Mansfield Five White 2023

A blend of 38% Sauvignon Blanc, 26% Riesling, 14% Pinot Gris, 12% Gewurztraminer and 10% Chardonnay, all grown biodynamically, wild...
Estate 'Devils River' Cabernet Merlot NV ()

Delatite Devil’s River 2020

If memory serves, this wine used to be especially minty in character, many years ago – very much a love-it-or-hate-it...
Estate 'Dungeon Gully' Melbec Merlot NV ()

Delatite Dungeon Gully 2022

A blend of Malbec, 75%, and Merlot, 25%, this is perhaps not the most common mix of varieties we encounter,...
Estate 'Deadman's Hill' Gewürztraminer NV ()

Delatite Gewürztraminer Deadman’s Hill 2024

Gewurztraminer has long been a specialty from this team. The vines used here range between 12 and 53 years in...
Briar Ridge Old Vines Shiraz

Briar Ridge Old Vines Shiraz 2023

Top value Shiraz made from estate vineyards in the Hunter Valley and Orange regions. The vineyards are 40 and 30...
Briar Ridge Homestead Merlot

Briar Ridge The Homestead Merlot 2021

From the Limestone Coast, the colour here is a blood red. The nose exhibits notes of dry herbs, red fruits,...
Briar Ridge The Squire Chardonnay

Briar Ridge The Squire Chardonnay 2024

The Squire Vineyard was the original name of the estate in the Hunter Valley and Chardonnay was the first white...
Majella cab sauv

Majella Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

More absolutely stonking value to be had here. Coonawarra Cabernet from a great year at this price? Load up.  Magenta/purple...
Our Fathers SingVin Riesling AG sml

Thistledown Wines Our Fathers Single Vineyard Clare Valley Riesling 2023

A single vineyard Clare Riesling, all of the profits from this wine go to charity. A very pale lemon yellow...
Our Fathers Special Reserve Barossa Shiraz AG

Thistledown Wines Our Fathers Special Reserve Barossa Shiraz 2023

As with their Riesling, all profits from this excellent Barossa Shiraz go to charity. Sourced from vineyards in the Ebenezer...
KATNOOK PRODIGY SHIRAZ

Katnook Prodigy Shiraz 2022

A finely crafted Shiraz from Coonawarra, from an excellent vintage. The wine spent fifteen months maturing in French oak. Deep...
Katnook Odyssey

Katnook Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Exceptional Coonawarra Cabernet, the wine spent fifteen months in French oak for maturation. Early days but there is much promise...
Digital Image Glamper LowAlc Riesling Front

Glamper 9% Riesling 2024

Today’s trend for lower alcohol (and even no alcohol) wines is well done here, with the level reduced to just...
YL Chardonnay

Yarraloch Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2022

2022 was a fine vintage in the Yarra Valley. This cracking Chardonnay came from a blend of clones. Whole bunch...
YL Chardonnay SD

Yarraloch Stephanie’s Dream Chardonnay 2022

This is a single vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay, made in a similar manner to the Estate wine. Again, 100% barrel...
TaT Crayères ReserveRed

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Reserve 2021

From an absolutely stellar vintage for the region, this is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Shiraz and 21%...
TaT Crayères CabShiraz

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2023

This is the team’s sixth release from the Crayeres Vineyard of a Cabernet Shiraz, the great Aussie red blend, although...
Terre à Terre Botrytis WEB

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Late Harvest 2024

This late harvest style from the Crayeres Vineyard in Wrattonbully is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Fermentation was ceased, and the wine...
TaT Crayères CabFranc

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2023

Solo Cabernet Franc can be an exciting style and this example is definitely worth exploring. This wine, from the Crayères...
Terre à Terre ReserveFuméBlanc

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Reserve Fumé Blanc 2023

From the Crayeres Vineyard in Wrattonbully, 2023 was a very cool vintage, which suited Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes were whole...
Stepping Stone Pinot Gris

Stonehaven Stepping Stone Pinot Gris Limestone Coast 2025

A most pleasing Gris from the Limestone Coast region, this is almost as clear as water. Fortunately, it tastes a...
OldVine Chardonnay

Schild Estate Old Vines Chardonnay 2025

A similar style to the standard, though it exhibits a little more elegance and some good intensity. A gentle lemon/straw...
Stepping Stone Rose

Stonehaven Stepping Stone Rosé 2025

A thoroughly enjoyable Rosé from the Limestone Coast, the colour is what might be termed, just a ‘tache’ of pick....
Stepping Stone Malbec NV

Stonehaven Stepping Stone Malbec 2023

For me, this is the star of the current Stepping Stone range. A single varietal Malbec from the Limestone Coast,...

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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