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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.
Cape Landing Reserve Syrah

Cape Landing Reserve Syrah 2019

The style here moves more to delicatessen meats and animal hides, rather than bright and obvious fruit notes. Those who...
Cape Landing Blackwood Silvereye Sauv Blanc

Cape Landing Blackwood Silver Eye Sauvignon Blanc 2023

From a single vineyard in the Forest Grove sub-region of Margaret River, the wine spent seven months maturing in French...
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Auld Family Eden Valley Pinot Gris 2024

A fine example of a bright and fresh Pinot Gris which is showing early hints of possible emerging complexity. The...
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Auld Family Strawbridge Shiraz 2021

A very fine vintage from the Barossa here with limited production of this wine which is worth chasing and opens...
Million Suns GSM

Million Suns GSM 2021

A pale ruby garnet, we have aromas of coffee grinds, red fruits and raspberries, which provide for a pleasing and...
Million Suns Grenache

Million Suns Grenache 2022

From vineyards in the Riverland region, the colour is a reasonably pale crimson. The nose gives us spices, herbs and...
Million Suns Grenache

Million Suns Grenache 2021

A soft garnet hue. There is a little more heft to this wine, as opposed to its younger sibling. The...
Cramer PNO

Cramer Tumbarumba Pinot Noir 2023

From a combination of the Wondalma and Coppabella Vineyards, this is bright crimson in colour. The nose is an alluring...
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Little Giant Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2024

Apparently the bottles are in some way meant to represent, or possibly sympathise with, the southern hairy nosed wombat, which...
Cramer SHIRAZ

Cramer Hunter Shiraz 2023

From the Glenoak Vineyard in the Hunter Valley, the grapes saw a wild yeast ferment and then spent time maturing...
Cramer Chardonnay

Cramer Chardonnay Coppabella Vineyard 2023

From the Tumbarumba region, the wine sees 30% new oak and is fermented with wild yeast. A lovely pale lemon...
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Take it to the Grave Pinot Grigio 2024

A delightful Pinot Grigio here, which is brilliant value. Fresh and bright, there are lifted aromatics. Very much a textural...
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Curtis Octavian McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021

The Octavian (sounds a bit like a Marvel movie villain) Shiraz from McLaren Vale is the flagship of the Curtis...
pasha mv shiraz bottle

Curtis Pasha McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019

The Pasha range has garnered much bling in recent years and this is a fine addition to the line. Inky...
BiscayRoad Barossa Cabernet NV

Biscay Road Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa 2022

Another wine representing excellent value, this is Barossa Cabernet from a brilliant vintage. An opaque magenta hue, there are notes...
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De Bortoli Woodfired Heathcote Tempranillo 2021

Largely from vineyards in the northern sector of Heathcote, the wine spent five months maturing in vats and casks after...
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Geoff Merrill Reserve McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016

From a stunning vintage, this is really good value. Compare it to other prestige reds, especially those with considerable time...
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Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet 2015

A multi-regional blend – 56% Coonawarra and 44% McLaren Vale – the wine spent two and a half years in...
Vigilancex

Hare’s Chase Vigilance Marananga Shiraz 2021

Basket pressing of the grapes here, from estate vineyards, the colour is an opaque maroon. A great vintage with a...
Ironscraperx

Hare’s Chase Ironscraper Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021

From grapes harvested from estate vineyards, with the individual parcels fermented individually, the wine matures in a mix of new...
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Hare’s Chase The Springer Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021

The fruit here is sourced from growers across various sub-regions around the Barossa. The colour of the wine is opaque...
Shiraz

St Mary’s Shiraz 2021

Deep maroon here, for this fine Barossa Shiraz from a superb vintage, and we have aromas including rose petals, plums,...
Cabernet

St Mary’s House Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Dark maroon hue here, the nose is more herbal than some – if that is your preference, then get on...
Vintage Fortified

St Mary’s Vintage Fortified Shiraz 2023

Always a joy to see wines of this style – once so common, today they are little more curiosities, but...

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...
PEN La Chapelle Grange winemakers barrels

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...
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...
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