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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.
St Hugo GSM NV

St Hugo GSM 2025

This version of the famous GSM blend is very much Grenache driven, with that variety providing 70% of the mix....
Petaluma Yellow Label Hanlin Hill Riesling

Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 2025

The Yellow Label Hanlin Hill Riesling has long been one of the Clare Valley’s finest. A very light lemon hue,...
Petaluma Evans Vineyard

Petaluma Evans Vineyard 2021

Petaluma’s Yellow Label Cabernet Merlot, from the Evans Vineyard, is one of our most iconic Coonawarra reds. Even more exciting...
Blackwell

St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2023

Named in honour of St Hallett’s long term and much respected winemaker from days gone by, Stuart Blackwell, this is...
Old Block

St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 2021

St Hallett’s flagship Shiraz from a great vintage, hard not to be excited. The fruit is sourced from old vine...
DD Winemaker's Reserve Shiraz

Dowie Doole Winemakers Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale 2022

Very much a typical McLaren Vale Shiraz from a good vintage, there is much that impresses. The colour is a...
DD Cali Road Shiraz

Dowie Doole Cali Road Shiraz 2022

The fruit here comes from the California Road Vineyard in the McLaren Vale sub-region of Tatachilla (yes, technically McLaren Vale...
DiFabioCab ()

Di Fabio Cabernets McLaren Vale 2019

A fine McLaren Vale Cabernet (and friends) from a single vineyard, it has the benefit of a number of years...
NV

Hare’s Chase Mataro Rosé 2025

Mataro, or Mourvèdre if one wants to be a little more trendy, has proved itself a most versatile variety, largely...
Hare and Hound NV

Hare’s Chase Hare and Hound Cabernet Shiraz 2022

The famous Aussie red blend of Cabernet and Shiraz from Barossa Valley, red wine in this country hardly gets more...
Old Bastard

Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz 2022

An iconic Barossa Valley Shiraz from an excellent vintage, maturation is in French oak for around a year and a...
Alte Reben NV High Res

Kaesler Alte Reben 2023

From a single vineyard at the Kaesler Estate in Marananga, which was planted back in 1899, the name is actually...
kaesler age of light cabernet sauvignon nv hr

Kaesler Age of Light Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Purists may turn their noses up at warm climate Cabernet Sauvignon, but lovers of wine which offers endless flavour know...
kaesler old vine shiraz nv hr ()

Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz 2023

The team source their fruit for this wine from three older estate vineyards situated around the winery. Maturation is for...
Love Symbol

Zonte’s Footsteps Love Symbol McLaren Vale Grenache 2024

I can’t honestly explain to you why McLaren Vale Grenache equates to a love symbol, but it hardly matters. The...
Blackberry Patch

Zonte’s Footsteps Blackberry Patch Fleurieu Cabernet 2023

I’m all for a little power of suggestion when it comes to selling wine, but even I think this is...
Hills are Alive Shiraz

Zonte’s Footsteps Hills are Alive Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2023

Just how many awards this wine will eventually tally, I have no idea, but I can tell you that the...
Baron Von Nemesis Shiraz

Zonte’s Footsteps Baron von Nemesis Barossa Shiraz 2024

Not even Ian Fleming came up with the name of a villain so absurdly wonderful as Baron von Nemesis. Quite...
Chocolate Factory

Zonte’s Footsteps Chocolate Factory McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023

Never having seen Willy Wonka, I am a little out of my depth here, but one suspects that this is...
Scarlet Ladybird

Zonte’s Footsteps Scarlett Ladybird Rosé 2025

Curiously, the team don’t reveal the variety or varieties involved in this fine Rosé. It is named in honour of...
Bleasdale River Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

Bleasdale River Vineyards Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Adelaide Hills Savvy which was fermented largely in stainless steel, 10% in oak, French oak puncheons, to add a little...
Bottle Shot MRSHI

Jack Estate M-R Series Shiraz 2024

The M-R Series wines are sourced from South Eastern Australia and designed to provide wines which are full of flavour...
Bottle Shot MRCHA

Jack Estate M-R Series Chardonnay 2024

A pure fruit example of Chardonnay where flavour is key, supported by a touch of oak. The colour is straw/gold....
Bottle Shot MRMER

Jack Estate M-R Series Merlot 2024

 A simple but rather delicious version of Merlot from the Limestone Coast, the colour of the wine is blood red...

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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