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Ray Jordan

Ray Jordan has been writing about wine for more than 40 years. His first articles were published in the early issues of national wine magazine Winestate in the late 1970s when he worked in Sydney as a newspaper correspondent. From 1989 Ray wrote more than 3000 columns as a regular newspaper wine columnist. He currently writes a regular column for the special business publication Business News and is one of the main contributors to national wine platform Wine Pilot. In 2017 Ray co-authored The Way it Was – A History of The Early Days of the Margaret River Wine Industry and previously wrote Wine in the Blood: Australia’s Family Wine Estates, published in Mandarin and English. In 2011 Ray was awarded WA Wine Press Club Jack Mann Memorial Medal for his contribution to the WA wine industry. His love of wine is as strong as his love of the blues and tasting the thousands of wines that cross his bench each year allows him to indulge in both.
Cirillo Black Label Shiraz

Cirillo Black Label Shiraz 2024

This was tasted very early on and the potential was evident from the moment I dropped the nose into the...
Serraluna Montepulciano d'Abbruzo

Serraluna Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2023

A variety that is beginning to find a home in Australia, but this is the real deal from Abruzzo in...
Bodegas Salentein Barrel Selection Chardonnay

Salentein Barrel Selection Chardonnay 2023

A lightly framed and quite zingy, fresh young Chardonnay from the Uci Valley in Argentina. Crisp white peach and lemon...
Bodega Volcanes De Chile Reserva Pinot Noir

Volcanes De Chile Reserve Pinot Noir 2022

From the Central Valley of Chile comes this delightful young Pinot Noir. The nose reveals slightly earthy damp forest floor-like...
DZTempranillo

Drop Zone Tempranillo 2023

McLaren Vale is an ideal region for this variety. It highlights and accentuates the warm fleshy and quite plump characters...
TourigaNacional

Drop Zone Touriga Nacional 2023

One of an increasing number of wines being made with this variety. Highlights its right floral and perfumed notes. Fragrant...
Super Trooper

Zonte’s Footstep Super Trooper Shiraz Cabernet 2022

Brings together two varieties that are relaxed and comfortable in each other’s company. It’s from the Fleurieu Peninsula and displays...
Hills are Alive Shiraz

Zonte’s Footstep Hills are Alive Shiraz 2022

An excellent example of the influence of cooler regional characters on the style of Shiraz. It is medium-bodied and packs...
st off the rank

Zonte’s Footstep First Off the Rank Cabernet 2022

On the nose the distinctive leafy plum and blackcurrant varietal characters of Cabernet strike immediately. It comes from McLaren Vale...
Lady Marmalade

Zonte’s Footstep Lady Marmalade Vermentino 2024

A crunchy lively little Vermentino from the Fleurieu Peninsula that bursts out with its distinct green apple and citrus characters....
Jacks Falls Pinot Noir HR

Gioiello Estate Jack’s Falls Pinot Noir 2023

This was a slightly cooler vintage with a long ripening period that seemed to have suited Pinot Noir. Hands-on approach...
Jacks Falls Pinot Noir HR

Gioiello Estate Jack’s Falls Pinot Noir 2022

An excellent Pinot from Upper Goulburn, it was a small vintage that resulted in fruit of excellent concentration and intensity....
Moonglow Rose

Dewey Station Moonglow Rosé 2023

This is a stunning Rosé made very much in the modern style. It’s pale copper and onion skin. The nose...
NVSyrahGrenache

Bekkers McLaren Vale Syrah Grenache 2023

A thoroughly beautiful and almost pretty expression of McLaren Vale. The fruit comes from Clarendon Hills for the Syrah and...
NVGrenache

Bekkers McLaren Vale Grenache 2023

I’m always excited to see the offers offered by Toby and Emmanuelle Bekkers. This one is less opulent, the result...
Minotaur Reserve Shiraz Bottle Shot

Maxwell Minotaur Reserve Shiraz 2022

A super wine that speaks so much of McLaren Vale. Loaded with masses of opulent dark Shiraz fruits revealing syrupy...
Where Oceans Meet Cabernet

Where Oceans Meet Six Acres Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

The purity and energy of a powerful Margaret River Cabernet emerge immediately with the aromas of deep blackcurrant, dark chocolate...
Where Oceans Meet Chardonnay

Where Oceans Meet Crossroads Chardonnay 2023

Layered, textured and pure, that’s what this excellent Chardy from the great ’23 vintage says from the start, Aromas of...
The Flying Wine Maker

The Flying Winemaker Destination Series Chardonnay 2023

From Margaret River in this outstanding year. Made with minimal intervention, displaying the fruit from this year rather well. Opens...
non vintage engarde pn nv

Riposte The Sabre Pinot Noir 2023

From the very first, this wine reveals a compelling and engaging combination of nuances and complex characters. The nose opens...
FarvieGrenache

Swinney Farvie Grenache 2023

A remarkable Grenache that captures much of the winemaking and viticultural philosophy with this wine sourced from the bush vine...
FarvieSyrah

Swinney Farvie Syrah 2023

Wow, deep colour and a powerful aroma announce a wine of power, poise and presence.  Deep black and dark red...
FarvieMourvedre

Swinney Farvie Mourvèdre 2023

Oh yes, I love this wine. It has a beautiful perfume and brightness evident on the nose and the palate....
Old Cab png

Peccavi Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Well, from the first take on the nose, you get a pretty strong indication that this Cabernet is from Margaret...

Stories

Hayes Family Wines

Hayes Family Wines is a relatively new name for the Barossa Valley, but its roots date back to the middle...

Elderton in Form

It’s one of those weird twists. The Barossa Valley is renowned for its shiraz and one of the best has...

A New Grenache Benchmark from the West

History may show that the Swinney Farvie Frankland River Grenache 2020 was the wine that redefined this variety in WA....
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