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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.
Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Bottle Shot

Leeuwin Estate Margaret River Prelude Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Do not hesitate to take any opportunity afforded to stock the cellar with both reds and whites from the brilliant...
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay Bottle Shot

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2023

This brilliant Chardonnay will surely come to be ranked, not only amongst the best ever from this legendary estate, not...
First Ridge UnoBella Fiano Vermentino

First Ridge Uova Bella Fiano Vermentino 2025

An intriguing Mudgee blend here of two emerging Italian varieties, Fiano and Vermentino, which was fermented in an imported terracotta...
ISA PIN bottle shot

Russell & Suitor Isabella Pinot Noir 2025

A delicious Tasmanian Pinot Noir which benefits from the Island’s cool climate. There is an attractive elegance running throughout this...
ISA CHA bottle shot

Russell & Suitor Isabella Chardonnay 2025

A considerable percentage of the quality Chardonnay grown in Tasmania finds its way into the Island’s wonderful sparkling wines, so...
Elderton Sixfold Shiraz NV

Elderton Sixfold Shiraz 2024

A new wine from the team at Elderton is certain to elicit serious interest from wine lovers. The fruit comes...
Churchview Bart Chardonnay

Churchview The Bartondale Chardonnay 2025

A fresh and vibrant style of Margaret River Chardonnay, the wine spent a short period of time in French oak...
Churchview Limited Release Viognier

Churchview Limited Release Wild Fermented Viognier 2024

West Aussie Viognier is not a variety we commonly encounter, but this is a thoroughly enjoyable one, and hopefully this...
Churchview Limited Release Grenache

Churchview Limited Release Grenache 2025

Margaret River Grenache? Whether this is a result of the onset of climate change or an opportunistic offering taking advantage...
Churchview SOLI Cabernet Sauvignon

Churchview Soli Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

A delicious and cracking value Cabernet from the superb 2023 vintage in Margaret River. The colour is a deep maroon/magenta....
Churchview Limited Release Zinfandel

Churchview Limited Release Zinfandel 2023

Zinfandel tends to be more of a curio than anything else in this country, but if you are serious about...
Churchview Estate The Bartondale Cabernet Sauvignon

Churchview The Bartondale Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

If you will forgive the broken record, 2023 again serves up an absolutely stunning Cabernet Sauvignon from the Margaret River...
Churchview Estate The Bartondale Cabernet Sauvignon

Churchview The Bartondale Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

A superb example of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2024 vintage. Dark magenta in colour, this is bold and...
Churchview Estate The Bartondale Shiraz

Churchview The Bartondale Shiraz 2024

Margaret River Shiraz continues to establish itself as mainstream and we have another very fine example here. It offers compelling...
Churchview Limited Release ShirazV

Churchview Limited Release Shiraz Viognier 2022

Organic certification is a theme throughout the offerings from this winery. This is their version of the famous Rhone blend...
Churchview Limited Release ShirazV

Churchview Limited Release Shiraz Viognier 2024

An excellent value example of this Rhone, specifically Cote Rotie, blend from Margaret River. Deep purple with a blue haze,...
Churchview Limited Release GSM

Churchview Limited Release Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2023

The famous Rhône blend might be a style that rarely ventures outside regions such as McLaren Vale and the Barossa...
Cape Landing Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Cape Landing Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

This rather exciting Margaret River Cabernet spends almost a year maturing in French oak. Deep maroon in colour, we have...
RESERVE SHIRAZ

Geoff Merrill Reserve Shiraz 2017

Like many of the wines in the Merrill stable this is very good value. A barrel selection, the winners are...
GEORGIE MAY CHARDONNAY

Geoff Merrill Georgie May Chardonnay 2024

It would be fair to say that when looking at McLaren Vale Chardonnay, we are not expecting anything to challenge...
RESERVE CHARDONNAY

Geoff Merrill Reserve Chardonnay 2023

The team undergo a strict blind tasting of all their Chardonnay to select the best barrels from both McLaren Vale...
CHARLEY ROSE GRENACHE ROSE

Geoff Merrill Charley Grenache Rosé 2025

This is Grenache showing off its versatility yet again. Named after Geoff Merrill’s youngest daughter, the team avoided the use...
GW CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Geoff Merrill G&W Coonawarra McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Whatever one thinks of the wines made by Geoff Merrill (hopefully, good things), there is one thing that he and...
JACKOS SHIRAZ

Geoff Merrill Jacko’s McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018

This wine is a tribute to a young cellar hand who worked with the team before sadly passing far too...

Stories

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...
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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...
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