At 18, I started working in a small suburban bottleshop, largely to buy cheap beer. It was my first year of university, slogging through physics and chemistry, so a liquor shop seemed like fun. Needless to say, I discovered wine, and my life evolved with a unique dual focus - wine and environment.
Twenty years later and I spend my days wearing many (wine) hats, mostly as a writer, presenter and marketer.
I now judge at wine shows around the world, sit on the Australian Wine List of the Year awards panel and was once a Wine Journalism Young Gun (but baby that was years ago).
Currently, I write features for a variety of publications including National Liquor News, Gourmet Traveller WINE and the RAS, plus I'm a former Lifestyle FOOD channel wine expert.
In 2019 and 2020 I was voted in the Top 30 Best Wine Critics in The World, and in my spare time, I'm a sucker for punishment and run trail ultra marathons, much to the delight of my long-suffering family. Read more about me here or get in touch to book your next wine event with me here
2 Comments
Andy, when the los companeros came up i had to reply. Unlike you, I actually bought a six pack of these from somewhere at a fair price.About $17. You lucky punter, you get nearly all for nicks. Great gig if you can get it. I went scrounging for my tasting notes because we must have a similar palate.Just to let you know, all of mine came from the 2014 vintage but you know what they say. if Grange can do it, so can everyone else. i knocked them all of in late 2017/2018 testament to how moorish they were. there were hundreds of others as well. My notes said similar things – needs a bit or airing, beautifully balanced,black cherry aromas,richness in palate,velvet smooth tannins, very impressive.
i will get some of the 2016’s to keep the dream alive.
Now the next bit you will like. i have printed off a while ago your reviews of two bendigo balgownie wines, a cs2015 and a 2017 cf&s.
my wife and myself are spending two nights there next week and i am going to do the in vivo tasting using your notes.
One is a forty five bucker, the other a twenny nine bucker.
Stay tuned for a comparison. One of them you say youd buy a bot. Who are you kidding, Youd just ring up and say send me one gratis !
But it must be good.
The other youd share a bot. What , just one ? Before moving onto a grange !
cheers
chris.
This is excellent Chris.
I wonder whether you’ll agree with my notes invivo?
Safe to say that you won’t go wrong buying more of the Pikes.