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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.
NVKCFiano

King’s Creed Fiano 2023

It is probably too early to start calling Fiano a mainstream variety, but it is certainly on the way. From...
NVKCPinotGrigio

King’s Creed Pinot Grigio 2023

An attractive Adelaide Hills Pinot Grigio, the colour is a yellow straw. Crisp pear notes stand out with a minerally...
PPE QTR PIG NV MED TN

Port Phillip Quartier Pinot Gris 2023

It has taken little more than a blink of a viticultural eye for Mornington Peninsula to establish itself as one...
KOO PIN EST NV MED ()

Kooyong Estate Pinot Noir 2022

The Estate Pinot is usually sourced from a trio of famous blocks, the Meres, Haven and Ferrous. Fermentation is in...
KOO CHD EST NV MED TN Horizontal

Kooyong Estate Chardonnay 2022

The 2021 vintage of this wine was a cracker, but I think that this latest incarnation is even better, a...
PPE PIN SHZ RHL NV MED TN

Port Phillip Pinot Noir Shiraz 2023

This intriguing blend is an even split between the two varieties, both from the team’s Red Hill Vineyard. Some of...
Marananga Cabernet Shiraz

Hare’s Chase Marananga Cabernet Shiraz 2019

The great Aussie blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, from the Barossa Valley, enhanced as it hails from an excellent...
Marananga Shiraz

Hare’s Chase Marananga Shiraz 2020

From the estate vineyard in the highly regarded Marananga sub-region of the Barossa, fermentation is in open top fermenters with...
Wills Domain Mystic Spring Sauvignon Blanc

Wills Domain Mystic Spring Sauvignon Blanc 2023

The majority of the fruit used here is from the team’s vineyard in the Yallingup sub-region of Margaret River, with...
Wills Domain Mystic Spring Rose

Wills Domain Rosé 2023

The grapes used for this fresh and energetic Rosé hail largely from vineyards in the southern parts of Margaret River....
HC Lepus NV Hi

Hare’s Chase Lepus Shiraz 2020

This is the prestige Shiraz from the team’s top vineyards in the Barossa. Under cork and with the heavy bottle...
HC Springer

Hare’s Chase The Springer Shiraz 2020

 Sourced from a number of growers across the Barossa Valley, the colour offers a deep purple hue. Notes of cassis,...
HC ROSE NV

Hare’s Chase Mataro Rosé 2023

An attractive blend of Barossa Valley Mataro and Cinsaut – all very Provencal – destemmed and pressed with the aim...
Palliser Estate White Label Chardonnay

Palliser Estate White Label Chardonnay 2022

Martinborough might be best known for its superb Pinots, but there are many excellent Chardonnays found here as well. Recent...
Palliser Estate White Label Chardonnay

Palliser Estate White Label Chardonnay 2021

Terrific vintage in the Martinborough region has given us this cracking young and fresh Chardonnay. Deep lemon colour here, this...
Palliser Estate White Label Pinot Noir

Palliser Estate White Label Pinot Noir 2022

Martinborough is one of New Zealand’s great Pinot Noir regions and Palliser has been making superb examples for many years....
Palliser Estate White Label Pinot Noir

Palliser Estate White Label Pinot Noir 2021

An appealing maroon colour, the nose is full of spices, redcurrants, plums and bacon fat. Again, a savoury style of...
Youll Never Walk Alone GSM LW

Claymore You’ll Never Walk Alone Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2022

Every year, this wine causes me issues. Not the wine itself – it is always delicious drinking. But the link...
Who Are You Shiraz Mataro

Claymore Who Are You? Shiraz Mataro 2021

A cracking Shiraz Mataro blend from the Clare Valley, from a superb vintage, celebrating The Who’s famous song, ‘Who Are...
il padrone NV ()

Haselgrove Il Padrone Shiraz 2021

The wine spends twenty months in French oak, new and older, before barrel selection provides the final blend. Dark maroon...
Bella Vigna Reserve Parcel Shiraz

Haselgrove Bella Vigna Reserve Parcel Shiraz 2021

The 2021 vintage continues to give us stunning wines from this famous region and this is no exception. The wine...
Barbera

Haselgrove McLaren Vale Barbera 2023

Part of the team’s Alternative Series, which involves small quantities of wines from McLaren Vale which reflect what one might...
Estate Riesling

Crabtree Estate Riesling Watervale 2023

The fruit has been sourced from estate vineyards, from vines between two and five decades of age. A delightful and...
Semillon

Crabtree Watervale Semillon 2023

Only made in top years in the Clare, and 2023 is certainly that, the fruit comes from a vineyard in...

Stories

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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