What a track record the recent M3 vintages have enjoyed. Every egg has been a bird. More importantly, this Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2019 is just a really tasty …
I struggled with this Tapanappa Foggy Hill Pinot Noir 2018. It’s powerfully built, a muscular Pinot of brawn, deep-set oak and tannins, but the fruit generosity seems missing, the mid …
Deep in the portfolio of our largest winemakers is a trove of overlooked quality. Just like this Hardys HRB D688 Riesling 2020. In the proud HRB tradition, this is a blend …
Another wine from the Malakoff Vineyard, and fascinating to see the results in context of the other Malakoff-sourced wines recently. Classy wine this Vino Intrepido Spanna in the Works Nebbiolo …
After such a shit year, surely it's time you spoilt yourself this Christmas? An excuse to open something even more special? Something, like the exceptional Hickinbotham The Peake Cabernet Shiraz …
Fascinating wines in this Susuro range. They don't always work, but modern style and swagger. This is Pyrenees Nebbiolo from the Malakoff Vineyard, with plenty of glacé cherry varietal charisma, …
Ambitious Nebbiolo from the Willoughby Bridge Vineyard. Spends 54 days on skins and 16 months in barrel. Light coppery red, the nose is quite floral, if tinged with brick dust …
Trophy winning wine, vindicated. This Soumah Equilibrio Chardonnay 2018 took out the award for Chardonnay 'Best In Show' at the Decanter Wine Awards. Now I'm always sceptical about any wine that wins …
Heathcote Fiano from the rising (and now certified organic) Tellurian. Varietal, and quite convincing Fiano. Lemongrass and nectarine, the palate lightly textured and lemony with some pithy phenolic as to finish. …
Joven-style Sangiovese from the Whistling Eagle Vineyard in Heathcote, made by fellow writer James Scarcebrook . Bright ruby red, it’s a bright and youthful style with jubey dark berry fruit, …
Let's call it the grand vin culture. For decades, the push has been for ever-more premiumisation (hate that word) in wine. More super cuvée releases, more barrel selections, more single block, …
Fun fact: Shiraz makes up over 25% of all winegrapes crushed in Australia, and South Australia has the largest vineyard area with 76,292ha (Wine Australia figures 19/20). But what I want …
After cracking the lid on this resoundingly good Grenache, I was tempted to text Juxtaposed winemaker Wes Pearson and tell him to put his prices up. Which I've done for …
Old vines is the angle behind this Tahbilk Old Vines Cabernet Shiraz 2017, of which Tahbilk has no shortage. The first note here is alcohol. Then the palate kicks in with …
What deliciousness again from Yangarra. This Yangarra Noir 2019 is a blend of 62% Grenache, 15% Shiraz, 12% Mourvedre, 6% Carignan, 3% Cinsault, 2% Counoise. It's smashable red wine of …
This Oates Ends Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2020 is very much how I remember the best barrel-fermented Margaret River SSB styles that I first fell in love with back in the …
Tim's done it again. The master of textural and luscious Barossan reds delivers another winner in this Tim Smith Wines M.G.S 2019. It’s flush with soft blackberry fruit that’s very approachable …
I feel like a broken record, but this Blue Pyrenees Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is another gruff and robust Cabernet. The pick of the estate range, which is full of gruff …
This Chapel Hill The Parson Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a value champ. Firm, hearty, varietal McLaren Vale Cabernet in a robust mode. An overachiever for just $20. Minty, dark berry fruit, …
De Bortoli have always been ahead of the industry trends, notably at the forefront of the rosé revitalisation a decade ago. Now, with wines like this De Bortoli 17 Trees Pinot …
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