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 more intriguing. Le Sol first surged …
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. But sometimes, a vertical has …
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 around, but even at 14 …
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 stopping now is there? This collection …
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 enough to jag a seat …
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 much about satisfying a hunger …
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 are famous for. Better still, this …
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 Point celebration. Much of the emotive …
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 CIVC that offers one local …
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 sprightly acidity, the edges honeyed …
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 to eat and drink well. Or …
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, it's oaky, it's dense. More to …
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 own way... It's a quite classic …
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 wines is their absolute authenticity …
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 come together and count amongst …
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, in typically blunt form. Think …
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 quality wine market, releasing a …
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 that even the finest makers …
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 its pricetag and grand marque …
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 into their own cellar door/bar. …
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.