Schwarz Meta Shiraz 2016 This is what great modern Barossa Shiraz tastes like, from a producer doing very good things. It's a template for how modern Barossa Shiraz can taste. The oak influence is minimal, the fruit …
Schwarz Meta Mataro 2017 Another easy drink from the Schwarz Meta line. Handpicked and wild fermented Barossa Mataro with 20% whole bunches. This is a wine built to please. Purple edged, it’s full of rather ripe and …
Schwarz Meta Grenache 2017 It's not hard to get enthused about these Schwarz Meta wines. The pointy end of Barossa wine and just delicious drinks. This Grenache is an absolute standout too. Handling is A1 for a …
Pizzini La Volpe Nebbiolo 2014 Tangy, light bodied King Valley Nebbiolo with easy appeal. Hints of mint, a liberal dose of Neb brickdust and light cherry flavours. I like the varietal flavour here, even if it's …
Eldorado Road Onyx Durif 2015 This has to be one of the best Durif in Australia. From a single vineyard in Rutherglen, this is what the grape should taste like. Black jelly beanz, licorice and an …
Eldorado Road IV Nations Vintage Fortified 2015 An excellent NE Vic producer with an intriguing fortified that couples grapes from four nations - Nero/Durif/Tinto Roriz/Shiraz. Light red coloured, it's actually a quite elegant fortified, with lovely, …
Soul Growers Provident Shiraz 2016 A slightly blunter Provident this year. It's bright purple and juicy, the oak a coffeed edge too what is otherwise a generous and fruity forward wine. Pulpier and more juicy, the …
Crabtree Watervale Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Handpicked, open fermented and basket pressed. 14-18 months in barrel. Proper Clare Cabernet this, with lovely soft drying tannins and a real savoury profile. Balance is really good too, with that …
Clos Saouma Chateauneuf-du-Pape Omnia 2012 Another glorious CNDP from the extended Lucien Le Moine portfolio. 80% Grenache plus a whole smorgasbord of other varieties. In a good place right now too. Delicious. It's a rather secondary style, …
Terre à Terre Wrattonbully Rouge 2015 The more approachable end of the Terre à Terre range. But it still needs more time. A blend of Shiraz/Cabernet/Cab Franc in proportions of 44/36/20. Spends 8 months in old barrique …
Alkoomi Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Alkoomi are value champions, and this is another quality release. The challenge with Frankland River Cabernet is the ripeness balance, and this errs just a little on the riper side without …
At 18 I started working in a small suburban bottleshop, largely to buy cheap beer. It was my first year of university, doing a degree that I didn't really like, and a liquor shop seemed like fun. Needless to say I discovered wine, my uni degree morphed into something completely different and wine/beer took over my life.
Almost twenty years later and I currently spend my days wearing many (wine) hats, mostly as a writer, presenter and marketer.
While wearing my writer cap I write features for the likes of National Liquor News, Gourmet Traveller WINE and the RAS plus I'm a Lifestyle FOOD channel wine expert. Read more about me here or get in touch to book your next wine event with me here.