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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.
Hobbs of Barossa Tin Lids Shiraz Aria Secca

Hobbs Tin Lids Aria Secca Shiraz 2021

An appealing, rich style of Barossa Shiraz, with a rather immodest 15.3% alcohol, though the balance seems to make that...
Hobbs of Barossa Tango Shiraz Viognier

Hobbs Tango Shiraz Viognier 2021

Just 130 dozen made of this delicious Rhone style red, Shiraz with a dollop of Viognier. The fruit all hails...
Hobbs of Barossa Shiraz

Hobbs 1905 Shiraz 2021

From vines which were planted, and this will come as no surprise, in 1905. A natural fermentation in open 500...
Hobbs of Barossa Gregor Shiraz

Hobbs Gregor Barossa Ranges Shiraz 2021

A wine which is of such enormous interest, as well as quality – an Amarone style from Barossa Shiraz. Handpicking...
gaelic mcaskill shiraz

Gaelic Cemetery McAskill Shiraz 2021

Dense purple in colour, there is serious concentration immediately evident here with depth and richness. The nose offers notes of...
GCV T Celtic Farm Shiraz Cabernet NV

Gaelic Cemetery Celtic Farm Shiraz Cabernet 2021

An attractive vibrant magenta hue. There is early complexity evident on the nose, with notes of warm earth, cigar boxes,...
gaelic mcaskill cab malbec

Gaelic Cemetery McAskill Cabernet Malbec 2021

Dark maroon colour. Notes of chocolate, black fruits, plums and cassis oozing forth. This is still very young and has...
gaelic white hut shiraz small

Gaelic Cemetery White Hut Shiraz 2021

We have been blessed with so many wonderful wines, red and white, from the superb 2021 vintage. If for any...
Sorby GSM lowres

Sorby Adams GSM 2021

Crime scene red hue, the nose is redolent of plums, cassis, aniseed and red jellybeans. The texture is supple and...
Sorby Shiraz lowres

Sorby Adams Shiraz 2021

Dark magenta in colour, this is a classic Barossa Shiraz. A bold, full-flavoured red with no edges that is soft...
The Reverend Canon Shiraz lowres

Sorby Adams The Reverend Canon Barossa Shiraz 2018

Deep maroon colour here. Bold flavours to the fore, there is an almost explosive nose, with flavours and aromas just...
Thompson Estate Four Chambers Cabernet Sauvignon

Thompson Estate Four Chambers Margaret River Cabernet 2021

Not many Margaret River Cabernets to be found for this price. The wine is a bright crimson with slightly earthy...
Thompson Estate Cabernet Merlot

Thompson Estate Margaret River Merlot 2021

Small batch production for this Margaret River Merlot. A gentle red hue, the nose offers dry herbs, mushrooms, plums, red...
PertaringaReserveShiraz bottleshot

Pertaringa Belonging to the Hills Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale 2021

The ‘Belonging to the Hills’ collection from Pertaringa/Bec Hardy reflects the meaning of ‘Pertaringa’ in the local Kaurna language, which...
PertaringaGSM bottleshot

Pertaringa Belonging to the Hills GSM McLaren Vale 2022

An absolutely gorgeous Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre blend from McLaren Vale. From another stellar vintage for the region, all parcels were...
PertaringaShiraz bottleshot

Pertaringa Belonging to the Hills Shiraz McLaren Vale 2021

Here we have a bit of a conundrum. The ‘standard’ is not supposed to top the ‘Reserve’, but for me,...
gsm

Paisley Turntable GSM 2021

I’m sure the name will appeal to some, as curious as it is, but far better to concentrate on the...
shiraz

Paisley Boombox Shiraz 2021

Maintaining the theme of strange names, this Boombox Shiraz is sourced from the team’s Barossa vineyards. Vibrant purple in colour,...
lyndoch

Paisley Texture Series Lyndoch Shiraz 2019

The Texture series has taken quality Shiraz from three discrete vineyards in the Barossa, all from the same excellent vintage,...
angaston

Paisley Texture Series Angaston Shiraz 2019

This vineyard is at 440 metres with the altitude contributing to a more elegant style. This is inky magenta in...
ebenezer

Paisley Texture Series Ebenezer Shiraz 2019

This Ebenezer Shiraz hails from a single vineyard in the northern reaches of the Barossa. The vines are in excess...
Ackland Vineyard Bottle Shot

Knappstein Clare Valley Ackland Vineyard Watervale Riesling 2023

A confession. I was so impressed with the Enterprise from 2023 that I did not imagine the team at Knappstein...
Clare Valley Riesling Bottle Shot

Knappstein Clare Valley Riesling 2023

It is a wonderful thing when nature gives a region three cracking vintages on the trot and the Clare Valley...
Enterprise Vineyard Bottle Shot

Knappstein Clare Valley Enterprise Vineyard Spring Farm Riesling 2023

Sourced from the team’s Enterprise Vineyard, the Riesling from here has always provided an elegant style which continues here. The...

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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