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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.
First Ridge Barbera NV ()

First Ridge Barbera 2023

From an elevated single vineyard in the Mudgee region in NSW, this is maroon/purple in colour. A most appealingly generous...
First Ridge Montepulciano NV

First Ridge Montepulciano 2023

The Mudgee region in New South Wales is proving to be an excellent source for local wines made with Italian...
The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon

D’Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

A combination of new and older French oak barrels are used here to complete fermentation of this warmer climate Cabernet....
The Dead Arm Shiraz

D’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2020

This is one of the McLaren Vale’s iconic Shiraz, indeed iconic wines, although it has been significantly supplanted in the...
The Footbolt Shiraz New PNG

D’Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz 2022

The team keep the batches for this wine separate until blending. Traditional foot treading is used 2/3rds of the way...
The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon New PNG

D’Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Again, traditional foot treading takes place 2/3rds  of the way through fermentation, with the fermentation then completed in old French...
The Derelict Vineyard Grenache PNG

D’Arenberg The Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2021

As with all wines from here, they have been endowed with weird and wonderful names, the details of which are...
The Wild Pixie Shiraz PNG

D’Arenberg The Wild Pixie Shiraz 2021

From the superb 2021 vintage, again we have a dollop of Roussanne co-fermented with the Shiraz. Fermentation is completed in...
The Ironstone Pressings GSM

D’Arenberg Ironstone Pressings GSM 2020

A compelling example of the Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre from the McLaren Vale, fermentation is completed in a mix of new...
shiraz nv

Holm Oak Shiraz 2023

The cooler year here added to the elegance and spiciness found in this wine. 10% whole bunches were incorporated into...
NV Chardonnay Protege

Holm Oak The Protégé Chardonnay 2025

This is the first Protégé Chardonnay made by the team since 2022. It is an unwooded style of Chardonnay, which...
wizard chardonnay nv

Holm Oak The Wizard Chardonnay 2024

2024 was an excellent vintage in Tasmania, certainly warmer than the preceding year. The juice underwent a wild fermentation in...
wizard pinot noir nv

Holm Oak The Wizard Pinot Noir 2023

From the cooler 2023 vintage, a range of clones were used to increase the complexity. 30% whole bunches are included...
riesling NV

Holm Oak Riesling 2025

The vineyard at the team’s estate in the Tamar Valley, which was used to provide the fruit for this Riesling,...
rosé nv

Holm Oak Rosé 2025

Rosé from Pinot Noir, 80% of the grapes were destemmed and cold soaked for a day and a half, prior...
vin sol suavis gsm

Vin Sol Suavis GSM 2024

This Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre blend from McLaren Vale is a deep maroon with a crimson rim. The nose gives us...
NV Saint Nic GSM

Geoff Merrill Saint Nic GSM 2022

A McLaren Vale version of this famous blend, the split is 56% Grenache, 28% Shiraz and 16% Mourvèdre. The wine...
gm bush vine sgm nv

Geoff Merrill Bush Vine SGM 2019

Another version of this blend, this time with Shiraz dominant. The wine spends almost two years in a mix of...
gm gw cabernet sauvignon nv

Geoff Merrill G&W Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

This wine is a blend of fruit from Coonawarra and McLaren Vale. The “G” is for the Graymoor Vineyard in...
gm reserve cabernet sauvignon

Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Not many wineries can offer its fans wines that are almost a decade in age, at a price more than...
Eddystone Point Pinot Noir

Eddystone Point Pinot Noir 2024

This delicious Tasmanian Pinot Noir spent time maturing in quality French oak. The colour is a vibrant crimson. This is...
Eddystone Point Chardonnay

Eddystone Point Chardonnay 2024

From a range of Tasmanian sub-regions, including Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley and the East Coast, fermentation was in oak...
Eddystone Point Pinot Gris

Eddystone Point Pinot Gris 2024

Pinot Gris from the excellent 2024 vintage across Tasmania, this comes, more specifically, from the Derwent Valley sub-region. Fermentation was...
Eddystone Point Sauv Blanc

Eddystone Point Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Tasmanian Sauvignon Blanc which combines some lovely tropical notes with the more traditional herbal characters. A glimmering lemon hue, this...

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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