This is Part 2 of the Coleraine vertical described here. Actually, while Coleraine had top billing at the tasting, the vertical of Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah was probably even …
Usually, verticals have a purpose. An excuse for the winery to show off a wine, launch a new one, or just to remind everyone how good something used to be. …
Joh. Jos. Prüm Bernkasteler Johannisbrünnchen Eiswein 2004 I'm filing this in the 'great wines that I only get to taste, not drink'. J.J. Prum's wines can take a few years to come …
It feels like I've had a lot of premium Cabernet over the past few weeks, especially after the Voyager extravaganza and the Margaret River 50th Anniversary tastings. But no point in …
The biannual Vin de Champagne Awards rolled through Sydney again this week, with this year's winners celebrated at a black tie event at the Four Seasons on Monday night. I was lucky …
I'm stepping back in time again for today's Flashback Thursday post, and again I'm in Rioja, following on from where things left off at Bodegas Muriel. While the Muriel story is as …
Redman The Redman Coonawarra Cabernet Blend 2004 There's something pretty special about these old Redman reds. Something quintessentially Aussie, with that surprising seriousness and ageless depth that great old Coonawarra reds …
A decade of Dog Point Wine tasting becomes that much more special when there's emotion involved - and there was a helluva lot of soul-baring at the recent Decade of Dog …
Highlights from the 2014 Vin de Champagne Awards Monday night I went to the 40th anniversary presentation dinner for the Vin de Champagne Awards - a biannual competition held by the …
Tahbilk 1927 Vines Marsanne 2004 (Nagambie, Goulburn Valley, Vic) 11%, Screwcap, $46.50 This is the most brilliant awkward wine I know. Brilliant on one hand, with a wondrous combination of fruit power and …
Dinner: Isole e Olena at Balla Sometimes this wine writing gig has its upsides. Sure the money is almost mythical, the prospects limited, the hours long. Yet at least you get …
Vega Sicilia Valbuena 2004 (Ribera del Duero, Spain) $300'Did John Duval make this' Suffice to say that, like many of John's wines, this is one big, rich, oak framed red. It's full, …
Salton Talento 2004 (Bento Gonçalves, Brazil) 13%, Cork, $34 Source: Tasting www.salton.br I'm rather pleased to be ticking 'have a Brazilian' off my to do list. This red is reasonably interesting too, in its …
Hanging Rock recent releases roundup I thought I'd already posted these reviews (tasted back in May), but a quick search today revealed otherwise. Regardless, what I like most about these Hanging Rock …
Bollinger La Grand Année 2004 (Champagne, France) 12%, Cork, $300 Source: Sample www.champagne-bollinger.com Oh yes, this is seriously fine fizz. Easily on a par with the sublime 02 and needing only bottle age to really …
Jim Barry: Verticals of Florita, Armagh + McRae Wood 'We made our first (Armagh) when Sam was in my underpants' That's Peter Barry, current Jim Barry Wines GM and Barry family patriarch, …
Yellowglen Exceptional Vintage XV Piccadilly Valley 2004 (Piccadilly Valley, Adelaide Hills, SA)12%, Cork, $49.95Source: Samplewww.yellowglen.com Welcome back Yellowglen. After nigh on a decade in the premium wine wilderness, Yellowglen has reentered the …
House of Arras Rosé 2004 (Tasmania) 12.5%, Cork, $79 Source: Sample www.houseofarras.com.au Sparkling rosé, whether from Champagne or elsewhere, is easily the most mercurial of 'luxury' wines, the style so hard to get right …
Perrier-Jouët Bella Époque 2004 Pretty bottle first, serious sparkling wine second. Or at least that's the way I've always viewed Bella Époque, the Champagne itself just a little soft and broadish considering …
Blue Pyrenees + Michael Hall Sauvignon Blanc Last night was the Blue Pyrenees 'Cellar Door in the City', an event whereby the Blue Pyrenees team turns an inner city venue it …
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