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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.
Splitting Hares

Zonte’s Footstep Splitting Hares Tempranillo Grenache 2022

From the Fleurieu region, this is pale crimson in colour. While the name might be a play on the tiny...
troublemaker Chardonnay bottle

Curtis Trouble Maker Chardonnay 2021

Lemon green hue. There is seemingly an oak-influenced toasty note behind some stonefruit hints with almonds and apricot kernels. Broad...
Black Market Cab Sauv bottle

Curtis Black Marker Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

A deep garnet colour, I do have one issue with the wine, or rather the bottle/label. Black on black? Fortunately,...
Troublemaker bottle

Curtis Trouble Maker Shiraz 2021

The colour here is a vibrant deep purple. The nose exhibits appealing chocolate notes with a little leafy dry vegetation...
legion shiraz for catch

Curtis Legion Shiraz 2021

For me, this wine very much reflects what we can expect from the Curtis Family. Richly flavoured wines, classically made, designed to...
small batch shiraz bottle shot

Curtis Small Batch McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021

The fruit for this wine comes from 80-year-old vineyards which are a combination of those owned by the family and...
TruffleRowCarignanSyrahCinsaultBottle

Hewitson Truffle Row Barossa Valley Carignan Syrah Cinsault 2022

Delicious and cracking value were the two things that sprang immediately to mind with this delightful red. A blend of...
LuluShirazBottle

Hewitson LuLu Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021

The vineyard, named after Dean’s wife, is located at the southern end of the Barossa, neighbouring the hills of the...
FalkenbergShiraz

Hewitson Falkenberg Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021

The Falkenberg name is a famous one in the Barossa – growers, winemakers, local identities. For the team at Hewitson,...
MadameMBlanc&Blanc

Hewitson Madame M Blanc & Blanc 2022

Lots to like with this fresh and light Mediterranean styled white blend. The mix is 85% Muscat Blanc à Petits...
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Hewitson LuLu Sauvignon Blanc 2023

The 2023 vintage saw fruit from high altitude Adelaide Hills vineyards harvested several weeks later than usual, all contributing to...
Parishes Shiraz NV

Parishes Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2021

Another superb Shiraz from one of my favourite regions, and from a cracking vintage. The wine spent a year maturing...
Parishes chardonnay limestone coast

Parishes Limestone Coast Chardonnay 2022

The Limestone Coast continues to push its reputation as one of the better regions in this country for one of...
Cowra Malbec

Cowra Estate Malbec 2020

We don’t hear a lot about the Cowra region these days but such industry luminaries as Len Evans and Brian...
Le Verrier Shiraz nv web

Sorby Adams Le Verrier Barossa Valley Shiraz 2020

A classic Barossa Shiraz from the fine, if firm, vintage of 2020. The wine spent two years maturing in French...
Margret Pinot Gris nv web

Sorby Adams Margret Eden Valley Pinot Gris 2023

Margret was Simon Adam’s grandmother and the zesty apple notes of her baked apple pie reminded Simon of the crisp...
Tristan Shiraz nv web

Sorby Adams Tristan Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021

Following hot on the heels of his beloved Isolde comes Tristan. This is a cracking Barossa Shiraz and brilliant value....
Lassell Grenache nv web

Sorby Adams Lassell Barossa Valley Grenache 2021

This, and the rest of the new range, all under cork, are all named after the peers and competitors of...
Galle Cab Sauv nv web

Sorby Adams Galle Barossa Valley Cabernet 2020

This very fine Barossa Cabernet spent two years in French oak, 30% of which was new. Deep red/maroon in colour,...
Jellicoe Riesling nv web

Sorby Adams Jellicoe Eden Valley Riesling 2023

Vines of around three decades, planted nearly 500 metres above sea level, provide the fruit for this rather special Eden...
Hunter's Shiraz

Gundog Estate Hunter’s Shiraz 2022

From old vineyards, specifically Will’s Hill and Tinkler’s, the wine spent a year maturing in French oak puncheons. Blood red...
Rare Game Shiraz

Gundog Estate Rare Shiraz 2022

This is Matt Burton’s tribute to those wonderful landmark Hunter ‘Burgundies’. Only 270 dozen made, with the fruit hailing from...
Hunter's Semillon

Gundog Estate Hunter’s Semillon 2023

Another very fine Semillon from Matt Burton, which is more in the current style of approachable and great drinking from...
The Chase Semillon

Gundog Estate The Chase Semillon 2023

This is, if you will excuse the suggestion, the big dog from the Gundog range. The grapes come from old...

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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