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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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Elderton Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

This block of Cabernet was originally planted in the 1940s. It looked a bit grim when the plan was to...
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Elderton Command Shiraz 2021

My first thought on tasting this wine was simply, wow, this might just be the very best Command Shiraz I...

Twinwoods Single Vineyard Margaret River Shiraz 2017

From the Wilyabrup sub-region in the acclaimed Margaret River, this is a dark maroon hue. The nose gives aromas of...
JKW CYME OV Grenache

Cyme Barossa Centenarian Vine Grenache 2023

Just 100 cases of this really exciting Barossa Grenache made. There was 20% whole bunch fermentation and 48 days extended...
Basileus Grenache

Basileus Barossa Valley Grenache 2020

Apparently Basileus is Greek for Kings, or so it was once. And of course, the Barossa is the King of...
Basileus Reisling NV

Basileus Clare Riesling 2023

Free run juice used here with a temperature controlled fermentation and the colour is a pale lemon with green flecks....
Basileus Shiraz Med

Basileus Barossa Valley Shiraz 2020

A thoroughly appealing Barossa Shiraz which will provide pleasure for the rest of the decade and a little more. Destemming...
Jilyara Williams' Block Cabernet Sauvignon

Jilyara The Williams’ Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

From the famed Wilyabrup sub-region, this is a superb example of what can be achieved here. Always fun to listen...
Jilyara Williams' Block Chardonnay

Jilyara The Williams’ Block Chardonnay 2022

Is it possible to get enough Marg River Chardonnay?  Seeing wines like this, I don’t think so. A very pale...
Driftwood Single Site Chardonnay

Driftwood Chardonnay Margaret River 2021

A single site Margaret River Chardonnay, showing just how brilliant the combination of region and grape can be. The wine...
Driftwood Single Site Cab Sauv

Driftwood Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River 2022

As exciting as the Chardonnay is, this is even more so. A single site wine, the colour is a deep...
Driftwood Single Site Cab Sauv

Driftwood Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River 2021

Again, a single site wine. There is a dark magenta hue. The nose offers notes of spices, herbs, raspberries and...

Sieger Estate Frederick Pinot Noir Adelaide Hills Old Vine Range 2023

Adelaide Hills Pinot from the Old Vine range, this is a very pale ruby red. There is an aromatic and...

Sieger Estate Block 178 Barossa GSM 2021

There is limited production of this delicious Barossa GSM. The wine has a deep red colour. It is plush, silky,...
NV Jeanneret Rank File Shiraz

Jeanneret Temperance League Shiraz 2022

No doubt, there is good reason for such a name though it escapes me. A bit like Aussie Rules holding...

Twinwoods Optivus Margaret River Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Again, for me, the 2018 is the slightly superior wine between the two vintages. A cracking wine. Similar winemaking to...

Twinwoods Optivus Margaret River Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

The fruit here is sourced from the estate vineyards in the Wilyabrup sub-region. After fermentation, the wine spends a year...

Twinwoods Single Vineyard Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

A classy effort from Margaret River, the colour here is an opaque maroon. This is taut, poised, tight and appealingly...

Twinwoods Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

This was a standout in the range. It is a dark cherry red colour, delightfully fragrant. A wine which is...

Twinwoods Single Vineyard Margaret River Shiraz 2018

Nice opportunity to compare consecutive vintages here. Personally, this is the pick of the pair for me but no doubt,...

Twinwoods Chardonnay 2023

While the Twinwoods reds are sourced from the estate vineyard in the Wilyabrup sub-region, Chardonnay comes from a discrete region...
NV Cab Shiraz

Jeanneret Clare Cabernet Shiraz 2022

From a range of sub-regions, including Armagh, Penwortham, Leasingham and Sevenhill, the wine spent 14 to 56 days on skins,...

Jeanneret Gewürztraminer 2022

From the Hill River sub-region, this wine spent a mix of between 288 and 303 days on lees. A terrific...
Big Fine Girl NV

Jeanneret Big Fine Girl Riesling 2023

Another fine Riesling from the Clare Valley, from the impressive 2023 vintage. This is a blend of sub-regions, including Watervale,...

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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