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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.
thistledown bachelors block shiraz nv web

Thistledown Bachelor’s Block Ebenezer Barossa Valley Shiraz 2022

From quite a famous block in the Ebenezer sub-region in the Barossa Valley, the team include whole bunches in the...
Marchand & Burch Village Pinot Noir ()

Marchand & Burch Village Pinot Noir 2025

The Mount Barrow Vineyard in the Mount Barker sub-region in the Great Southern of Western Australia also provides the fruit...
Marchand & Burch Village Chardonnay ()

Marchand & Burch Village Chardonnay 2025

Another superb vintage for the Great Southern region, the fruit for this wine comes from the team’s Mount Barrow Vineyard...
Curtis Terra Rossa McLaren Vale Shiraz

Curtis Wines Terra Rossa McLaren Vale Shiraz 2025

From a single vineyard on terra rossa soil in McLaren Vale, this provides some delicious drinking. Crimson/maroon in colour, there...
CFV limited grenache revamped copy

Curtis Wines Limited Series McLaren Vale Grenache 2022

Quality Grenache never fails to appeal, and this is most certainly a quality Grenache. From dry grown bush vines which...
CFV limited Shiraz Hi Res fix

Curtis Wines Limited Series McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022

From 80-year-old vines, fermentation proceeded slowly over two weeks, before the wine spent a further three years maturing in French...
CFV limited grenache revamped copy

Curtis Limited Series McLaren Vale Grenache 2022

Quality Grenache never fails to appeal, and this is most certainly a quality Grenache. From dry grown bush vines which...
Terra rossa bottle shot black cap copy

Curtis Terra Rossa McLaren Vale Shiraz 2025

From a single vineyard on terra rossa soil in McLaren Vale, this provides some delicious drinking. Crimson/maroon in colour, there...
CFV limited Shiraz Hi Res fix

Curtis Limited Series McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022

From 80-year-old vines, fermentation proceeded slowly over two weeks, before the wine spent a further three years maturing in French...
shiraz

Clarnette Grampians Shiraz 2022

Shiraz from the Grampians, specifically the Ludvigsen Vineyard, which includes a dollop of Viognier as is tradition with this Estate....
shiraz reserve

Clarnette Clarnette & Ludvigsen Reserve Shiraz 2017

The Estate’s Reserve Shiraz has already enjoyed an extended period in their cellar, something we all love to see. The...
lud shiraz

Clarnette Ludvigsen Shiraz 2021

2021 was a superb vintage in so many regions throughout Australia and the Grampians is certainly one of them. Maturation...
shiraz reserve

Clarnette Clarnette and Ludvigsen Reserve Shiraz 2018

From an excellent vintage for the region, this Grampians Shiraz, specifically the Great Western sub-region, already has enjoyed an extended...
nebbiolo

Clarnette Grampians Nebbiolo 2023

Thrilling to see the emergence of Nebbiolo in this country and this is a fine example from the Great Western...
durif

Clarnette Grampians Durif 2023

Durif from the Great Western region in the Grampians district, at 13.5%, this is considerably lower than what we’ve come...
tempranillo

Clarnette Grampians Tempranillo 2024

Always fascinating to see the introduction of new grape varieties into this country, although Tempranillo has now been with us...
chardonnay ()

Clarnette Pyrenees Chardonnay 2024

An impressive Chardonnay from the Pyrenees region, fermentation was in new and two-year-old French puncheons, 50% of them new, before...
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Clarnette Grampians Riesling 2024

Riesling from the Grampians region in Victoria which has received a rather different ‘upbringing’ than is usual for Riesling in...
MW Bottle Shot Chardonnay ()

Moss Wood Chardonnay 2025

To paraphrase a former Prime Minister, life is not meant to be fair. Otherwise, why would Margaret River have yet...
MW Bottle Shot Pinot Noir ()

Moss Wood Pinot Noir 2024

Always a fascinating wine. Purists will scream that Margaret River simply can’t do Pinot Noir, even though these guys have...
MOSS WOOD Deep etch Amys Bottle ()

Moss Wood Amy’s 2025

A classic Bordeaux Blend style from Margaret River, the wine is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 3%...
MOSS WOOD Deep etch Amys Curvee Blanc Bottle ()

Moss Wood Amy’s Cuvée Blanc 2026

A Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blend from Margaret River, I have seen this described as one of the simpler wines in...
Fourth Hill Sparkling Rose? Signature Collection NV

Fourth Hill Sparkling Rosé NV

The team aim to source their fruit for their fizz from cooler climates. A gentle pressing assists in providing a...

Sorby Adams Margret Eden Valley Pinot Grigio 2026

A fine Eden Valley Pinot Grigio with the fruit sourced from the Williamstown sub-region. Near transparent yellow in colour, on...

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James&Nat

Main Ridge Estate

Main Ridge Estate is a rather curious winery. Essential to the history of Mornington Peninsula and responsible for decades of...
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There is surely no wine region in this country which has more elite wineries than Margaret River. The advantage for...
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...
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