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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.
Maretti Soave NV

Maretti Soave Classico 2022

Good clean, crisp, chilled Soave is an ideal wine for an Aussie summer. The better examples are fresh and simply...
NV Pinot Noir Chardonnay

Thorn Clarke Brut Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay NV

Six months on lees for this very pleasant, easy drinking Eden Valley sparkler, a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay....
Ox Hardy Shiraz media

Ox Hardy Upper Tintara Vineyard Shiraz 2021

This vineyard is situated in the Blewitt Springs sub-region, specifically three blocks, known as Moreton Bay, Block 12 and Big...
Ox Hardy Slate Shiraz

Ox Hardy Slate Shiraz 2021

From the Moreton Bay block in the Upper Tintara Vineyard in the Blewitt Springs sub-region, this is the fourth release...
Ox Hardy Upper Tintara Vineyard McLaren Vale Ancestors Vines Media

Ox Hardy Ancestor Vine Shiraz 2014

The grapes here were sourced from the original 1891 vines from the family vineyard, which were planted by one of...
NV VW CHA

Xanadu Vinework Chardonnay 2021

From Margaret River, half from the Wallcliffe sub-region and the rest from a mix of other sub-regions, the grapes here...
NV C SBS

Xanadu Circa 77 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023

A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon, all from the Wallcliffe sub-region of Margaret River. Fermentation in stainless...
NV XAN CHA

Xanadu Chardonnay 2022

Most of the fruit for this fine Margaret River Chardonnay, all from the gin-gin clone, is from the Wallcliffe sub-region....
NV C ROS

Xanadu Circa 77 Rosé 2023

This is a fresh and vibrant style of Rosé, 100% Shiraz from the Margaret River region, specifically the Wallcliffe sub-region....
NV VW ROS

Xanadu Vinework Shiraz Graciano Rosé 2023

An intriguing blend of Shiraz and Graciano (83% and 17% respectively) from the Margaret River. A cool fermentation in tank...
NV VW SHZ

Xanadu Vinework Shiraz 2021

To create this fine Margaret River Shiraz, one quarter was destemmed, crushed, pressed and barrel fermented in French oak, half...
NV XAN CAB

Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

A very fine Margaret River Cabernet, as we have come to expect from this maker. A mix of predominantly Wilyabrup...
BW Rosato DV

Brokenwood Rosato 2023

For those wondering why Rosato and not simply Rosé, it is because the wine is made from the famous Italian...
BW Tallawanta Vineyard Shiraz DV

Brokenwood Tallawanta Vineyard Shiraz 2021

The same vineyard as for the wonderful Semillon we encountered earlier, but this is from the original plantings of Shiraz,...
BW Wildwood Road Cabernet Sauvignon DV

Brokenwood Wildwood Road Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

The Brokenwood team do not let borders – either for wine regions or states – diminish their enthusiasm for presenting...
BW Tallawanta Vineyard Semillon DV

Brokenwood Tallawanta Vineyard Semillon 2019

This vineyard was originally all Shiraz, planted in 1920, but in the mid 90s, the team identified a portion of...
Hatch Watervale Riesling high res render

Hatch Clare Valley Watervale Riesling 2023

A classic Clare Valley Riesling, from the famous Watervale sub-region, made by a man with more experience than entire districts...
Hatch Vesey Shiraz high res render

Hatch McLaren Vale Vesey Shiraz 2022

This wine was named for Chris Hatcher’s great-grandfather, Alf Vesey. Alf started working at Penfolds way back in 1883 and...
Hatch St Johns Shiraz high res render

Hatch Barossa St Johns’ Shiraz 2022

One thing I learnt about Hatch with this latest batch of wines is that he is a big jazz fan...
Hatch Flaxmans Riesling hight res render

Hatch Eden Valley Flaxman’s Riesling 2023

Flaxman’s Valley is a high altitude sub-region of the Eden Valley and one of our most highly regarded districts for...
Viveur Adl Hills Shiraz Don

Berrigan Viveur Shiraz 2022

Estate grown fruit from the Adelaide Hills, but the thing that will make the biggest initial impression is the fabulous...
non vintage engarde pn nv

Riposte En Garde Pinot Noir 2023

From the Adelaide Hills, this is the team’s flagship Pinot Noir, from a very fine vintage. Still very youthful and...
Armstrong Shiraz (Cropped)

Armstrong Shiraz 2017

Under cork, this is from Western Victoria and already has a few years under its belt, more than both the...
Riesling NV

Hutton Vale Farm Riesling 2023

Despite the naming, this is from a single vineyard on the family’s farm. And from a stunning vintage for Eden...

Stories

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...

Duval on Grenache

The name, Duval, is and always will be inextricably linked with Grange. John Duval was chief winemaker at Penfold’s from...
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