I didn't expect to like the Thorn-Clarke single vineyard wines so much. But they work. Old school weight, delivered with polish and a deft hand. From the Canyon Block at Thorn-Clarke’s …
There's this point in every research project where you hit the extent of your own knowledge. Sometimes, with simple topics, it comes late and you just need some context. At other …
Energetic nouveau style King Valley red. This Pizzini La Volpe Nebbiolo 2018 has bright raspberry fruit and light tannins, the delivery unadulterated by oak, the overall effect so energetic. Even …
It's a perennial question - if you had $10,000 to spend on wines (from Australia and New Zealand) for the cellar, what would you choose? Dom Sweeney from Gourmet Traveller Wine …
Like all of the Steels Gate wines, this Steels Gate Home Block Blanc de Blancs 2016 is a model of delicacy. Pure and vital, it's all white flowers and marzipan, the …
Straight Canaiolo, in Australia? Tuscany has a new address, and it's in the King Valley. Canaiolo is normally a blending grape that adds a bit of fruit weight to Chianti, and …
Pure class. This Oakridge Original Vineyard Cabernet 2018 is a somewhat shy - but deadly correct - Yarra Cabernet. Bright, leafy and relatively high acid style. Cool and pencily, the palate …
Between 2000 and 2010, Tempranillo was going to be the Next Big Thing, as the fastest growing (by vineyard area planted) variety globally. While the Temp. train has slowed a …
The name is quite a mouthful. But this Schild Estate Edgar Schild Old Bush Vine Reserve Grenache 2018 is just approachable and easy. Bright, ripe and glossy mod. Grenache. All mid palate …
I think the Hanging Rock table wines are most underrated. The bubbles get plenty of attention, but there's glory across the board. This Hanging Rock The Jim Jim Chardonnay 2018 …
Plenty of flavour in the Samuels Gorge range, with this Temp. delivering much at refreshingly low alcohol. This spends 10 months in largely older French oak with 10% whole bunches …
Caroline Mooney's latest Bird on a Wire Chardonnay 2017 is a masterful wine. Sourced from the Willowlake vineyard, it's whole bunch pressed, wild fermented and 30% of the blend goes …
Graciano is still yet to find its feet in Australia - a variety without a local identity. This red goes a long way towards a Graciano baseline. It spends 14 months …
I long for the days when Taltarni of the modern era starts tasting like Taltarni of yesteryear. Obviously that's the past and with climate change likely impossible to replicate the …
I like the Tellurian wines. Promising organic releases with diversity of style and intensity of flavour. This Nero fits the bill too - all varietal purple blackberry fruit, the palate …
Every time. Every wine. There's a detail in all of the Levantine Hill 'Paddock' wines that is hard to ignore. It's a nod to winemaking skill (hat tip Paul Bridgeman), to …
Second in line behind The Menzies in Yalumba's Coonawarra Cabernet hierarchy and it's a long term style. Set and forget form, with drying tannins as the centre feature. Oh and …
What's that? Another f*cking grape day? Today is Shiraz Day, which precisely zero people outside of a handful of marketers care about. But hey, I'm in, let's talk about yet another …
Somehow this slipped through the net. A ball that went through to the keeper, when it should have been slotted through cover for an easy boundary. This Juxtaposed Old Vine …
While not in the same tier as the other Yalumba Grenache this Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2018 is such affable drinking. From dry grown vines at Vine Vale. this generous, …
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