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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.
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Hesketh Lost Weekend Chardonnay 2023

Richly hued gold in colour, this is a fresh and youthful style of Chardonnay. Bright and pleasing drinking with a...
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Hesketh Regional Selection Auburn Fiano Clare Valley 2023

Fiano continues its march to acceptability and respectability, it will soon be a variety which sits very comfortably with our...
Hesketh Rules of Engagement Pinot Grigio Media

Hesketh Rules of Engagement Pinot Grigio 2023

Fruit for this enjoyable Pinot Grigio hails from the Wrattonbully region in the Limestone Coast. After fermentation, the juice spent...
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Hesketh Watervale Riesling 2023

If I may be allowed to insert a personal note, nothing one loves more than including a ‘blind’ Clare Riesling...
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Hesketh Regional Selection Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills 2023

A more serious Savvy here, more classic in style, with fruit which has been sourced from the Adelaide Hills, which...
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Hesketh Bright Young Things Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Newly harvested Savvy sees very little skin contact here with fermentation in stainless steel, all to ensure ultimate freshness. Very...
St Hallett Sacred Ground Shiraz

St Hallett Sacred Ground Shiraz 2021

For eighty years, in various incarnations, St Hallett has been a source of excellent Barossa reds. Sacred ground, indeed! 2021...
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Reynella Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

A deep maroon hue here, another very fine Cabernet from a warmer region, offering superb drinking, nonetheless. We have notes...
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Reynella Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

McLaren Vale Cabernet from a great vintage. This might not offer the immediate and classical varietal characters one expects from...
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Reynella Shiraz 2019

It is always fun to compare the same wine from different vintages. Looking at this and the 2018 of the...
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Reynella Shiraz 2018

This is old school Aussie wine with a pleasing modern touch. Reynella in McLaren Vale is very much part of...
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Zema Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Coonawarra is not the first place we think of for Sauvignon Blanc, but that does not mean we can’t find...
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Zema Estate Family Selection Coonawarra Cabernet 2018

This is a seriously good Coonawarra Cabernet and a very well-priced one. A case or two of this in the...
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Zema Estate Rosé 2023

Made from 100% Shiraz, from the Coonawarra region, the aim was to retain freshness and aromas – Nick and the...
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Zema Estate Family Selection Coonawarra Shiraz 2018

Nowadays, Coonawarra and Cabernet seem inextricably linked, but there was a time when the grape that starred in this region...
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Fuddling Cup Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Bigger, richer and more powerful, in keeping with the style of vintage, this is again from the famed sub-region of...
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Fuddling Cup Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

There are heavier and bigger Margaret River Cabs than this example, but put that down to a slightly more elegant...
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Fuddling Cup Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Margaret River Cabernet proves time and time again that it really deserves the pedestal on which has been placed. From...
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Fuddling Cup Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2016

A mature example of the Sem Savvy blend from the West, which has also seen a touch of French oak...
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Fuddling Cup Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2019

The famous West Australian Classic Dry White blend from Margaret River. Of the currently released trio with some development, this...
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Fuddling Cup Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Spending five months in French oak has given this Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River a little more depth and...
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Curtis Trouble Maker Sauvignon Blanc 2023

A pale lemon/lime hue here, this is an attractive Savvy. We have notes of citrus and spices, cut grass and...
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Curtis Ancestor McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021

Under Diam, this is from a cracking vintage. A McLaren Shiraz which is powerful and powerfully flavoured, from older vines,...
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Curtis Nut House Wine Shiraz 2021

No doubt there is a reason for the name – just not one with which I am familiar. No matter,...

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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...

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...
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