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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.
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,...
Reschke R Series Shiraz NV

Reschke R-Series Shiraz 2022

From a very fine vintage for the Limestone Coast region, this is a generous, well-structured and approachable Shiraz which offers...
Ulithorne Immortelle Shz NV

Ulithorne Immortelle Shiraz 2022

2022 was an excellent vintage for the McLaren Vale region – take advantage. This is a cracker. An opaque maroon,...
First Cut Shiraz NV

Haselgrove First Cut Shiraz 2021

The First Cut range is designed to provide approachable and softer wines for enjoying with food. From a range of...
First Cut Cab Sauvignon NV ()

Haselgrove First Cut Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

20% new French oak, the remainder older French, is used in the maturation of this fine McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon,...
Watervale

O’Leary Walker Watervale Riesling 2025

Yet another superb Watervale Riesling from a pair of specialists (they are pretty good at other wines, as well). Treatment...
PHR

O’Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling 2025

Coming from vines planted back in the 1970s, the OLW Polish Hill River Riesling tends to be the formal, and...
GPL

Majella Coonawarra GPL68 2016

The name is a tribute to George Patrick Lynn who ‘allowed’ his sons, Brian and Anthony, to plant vineyards in...
composer

Majella Coonawarra The Composer Cabernet 2022

These guys are such reliable producers, with a number of their wines representing wonderful value. On that score, hard to...
malleea

Majella Coonawarra The Malleea 2018

Always good to see wines with time in the cellar under their belt, especially when they come from such a...

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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