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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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3 Rings Shiraz 2023

A similar fruit source and winemaking treatment as the previous vintage, the colour here is a crimson maroon. The nose...
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Curtis Family Cavaliere GSM 2021

The cavalcade of cracking reds from the 2021 vintage, from McLaren Vale (and Barossa) continues, but be warned, they won’t...
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Curtis Family Legion Merlot 2022

A deep red/crimson hue, the nose reveals attractive aromatic notes of florals, bay leaves, black cherries, violets, licorice, plums, raspberries...
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Curtis Family Legion Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Warm climate Cabernet from a cracking vintage, this is seriously good value for those looking for a top-notch drink. Deep...
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Curtis Family Pasha McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021

The team look to this wine as a return to the old ways, the “glory days”, which should cue everyone...
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Curtis Family Limited Series Grenache 2021

 If ever there was a safe bet, it has to be the delicious reds from McLaren Vale and the Barossa...
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Curtis Family Gladiator McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021

Before anyone goes all Russell Crowe, this superb McLaren Vale red is all Australian in every way (okay, a mix...
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John Hill Wines McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023

John Hill was the bosun on the HMS Buffalo, which arrived as part of the establishment of the colony of...
jhw limited release shiraz

John Hill Wines McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022

As with all this range, the wine is under cork. The colour is a deep magenta, while the nose exhibits...
jhw limited release shiraz

John Hill Wines McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021

An opaque maroon hue, the structure here is plush and seductive. A seriously sexy style of red. The nose reveals...
Gudilly NV Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay lowres

Gudilly by Sorby Adams Single Vineyard Pinot Chardonnay NV

An Eden Valley sparkler, 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, this is based on the 2019 vintage with contributions from...
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Gudilly by Sorby Adams Single Vineyard Pinot Gris 2023

The name, ‘Gudilly’ comes from a mash-up of Simon Adams’ children, Angus (presumably Gus), Digby and Sally. The fruit here...
Barolo Ravera Riserva Giribald

Mario Giribaldi Barolo Ravera Riserva 2013

A brilliant Barolo with more than a decade in age already under its belt. Drinking beautifully now, but it certainly...
Barolo Ravera Giribaldi

Mario Giribaldi Barolo Cerviano Merli Riserva 2016

Amongst an array of stellar vintages over the last decade and more, none surpass 2016 – it is already legendary....
Barolo Ravera Giribaldi

Mario Giribaldi Barolo Ravera DOCG 2018

This is a vintage which imbues its wines with a pleasing elegance. A red/orange rim here, with a nose that...

Cimicky Shiraz Cellar Selection 2020

Fine Barossa Shiraz which spent eighteen to twenty-four months in oak barrels and is bottled under cork. The colour is...

Cimicky Shiraz Cellar Selection 2021

From a stellar Barossa vintage, the team have moved to screw cap here. The wine spent eighteen to twenty-six months...
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Vintage Breeze Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

From McLaren Vale, the wine spent time maturing in French oak. A near opaque maroon hue, the wine is ripe,...
VintageBreezeShiraz

Vintage Breeze Reserve Shiraz 2022

Shiraz from McLaren Vale which has spent time maturing in French oak, this is a deep red/maroon hue. The nose...
PioneerRoadCabSauv

Pioneer Road Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

From a truly cracking vintage in the Barossa Valley, this wine spent twenty months in a combination of French and...
PioneerRoadMalbec

Pioneer Road Malbec 2022

A deeply flavoured Malbec from the Langhorne Creek region, this is a gleaming purple. Ripe, intense and with big, rich,...
PioneerRoadSauvBlanc

Pioneer Road Sauvignon Blanc 2023

From the Langhorne Creek region, the colour here is a pleasing pale lemon. Lovely tropical aromas, notably passionfruit, mango and...
Riposte Foil SB NEW NV

Riposte The Foil Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2024

A most attractive version of Adelaide Hills Savvy, showing just how promising this vintage is. Pale lemon hue, this is...
Pirramimma Trademark Shiraz

Pirramimma Trademark Limited Edition Shiraz 2022

Matured in American oak and from yet another very fine vintage from the McLaren Vale region, the colour here is...

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...
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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...
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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...
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