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 …
Following on from last month's focus on other reds and Shiraz, this May I'm all about red blends. It's always frustrating that we seem so singularly focused on mono-varietal wines in Australia, as it often makes for less …
Salicutti Piaggione Brunello 2006 A big Brunello, though perhaps the balance suffers because of it. A massive mouthful of slightly horsey, meaty Sangiovese fruit, in a warm and heady style. A biggun' So firm and long, you …
After last week's feedback I'm going to be sticking to just one roundup a month on site going forward (thanks everyone for the feedback). This roundup features a kaleidoscope of Australian Shiraz to have passed the …
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 …
Penfolds St Henri 2006 Let's check in to see how this Penfolds St Henri looks now. Surprisingly sullen. There's still that easy plum fruit, with a dusty edge and fruit that expands through the palate. Despite that …
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 liked Verona. There's something beautifully romantic about this northern Italian city, the sentiment extending well beyond the tourists and tacky selfies in front of Juliet's Balcony. Romance, great food, and vines surrounding the city in many …
I've just landed in Porto, a city which seems even cooler than expected (if heaving with tourists). It was the detour here via Ribeira Sacra that was the most intriguing though. The crux of Ribeira Sacra's appeal …
Chateau Tanunda - rare verticals of some well priced Barossans 'I needed a chateau' John Geber Who doesn't need a chateau really? I do love that John Geber bought Chateau Tanunda on something of a whim (though it …
Domaine Faiveley new releases - an estate on the up There's been big changes at Domaine Faiveley over the past decade or so. Big changes since when I first entered the industry and this renowned old …
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 …
Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon + fried chicken = shit yesOn Wednesday night a group of notable Hunter Valley winemakers came to town, bringing with them a swag of gold medal and trophy winning wines from …
Alkoomi Wandoo Semillon 2006 (Frankiland River, WA) 11%, Screwcap I wanted so much to like this. I love Hunter Semillon and, by extension, want Australian Semillon to do well. Yet this looks... odd. There is a real forward …
Champagne Lancelot-Pienne Cuvée Perceval 2006 12%, Cork, $120 Wines like this illustrate just how magical fine grower Champagne can be. Imported by Eurocentric Wine, a mere 800 bottles of this are produced each year (which means its …
Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 2006 (Barolo, Italy) Cork, €100Source: Wine List http://www.mascarello1881.com Tasted Drunk two months ago, at Restaurant Bovio - which is the sort of Piedmont restaurant that has people (like me) taking too many pictures on …
Keeping Mum on Mumm This is a snippet from a recent column on Mumm Champagne. The language is a bit different to the rest of the articles here on the blog, however the context is interesting …
Kumeu River Mate's Chardonnay 2006 (Kumeu, NZ) $60ish, Screwcap, 13.5% Source: Cellar www.kumeuriver.co.nz Auckland via Montrachet... What a confounding, brilliant wine this, even despite some slightly dodgy cellaring on my behalf. A wine driven by ripe fruit, tightened by acidity (actually, …
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.