It's been fascinating to watch the revival of the big Burgundian negociants. Historically, names like Faiveley, Chanson and Louis Jadot have been treated with a certain disdain here in Australia, tagged as 'just negociant wines'. That's likely …
For this week's entertainment, I thought I'd pull out all the Shiraz dominant blends that aren't your usual suspects and ended up with these six wines. Some are just slightly unconventional (like non GSM from Grant …
d’Arenberg The Athazagoraphobic Cat 2011 Quirky name and an odd blend of Sagrantino and Cinsault. Montefalco meets the south of France. The price doesn't fit either, but that's by the by. Chester Osborn once said that …
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 …
After just over two weeks in the Hawaiian warmth I'm back at the desk and into the grind today, labouring through Sydney's chilly mid-winter with sunshine but a dream. Despite trying hard, I drank very little …
Castello Di Brolio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2011 Most Gran Selezione leaves me a bit cold. This, again, has too much oak. But it's sexy oak. Does that help? Luxurious oak. Cadbury Chocolate powder fills every corner. …
I first tasted the Virago wines back in 2015, describing it as a 'label to watch'. After retasting the range now in 2018, I'm noting that down as a great call - these are some of …
'Good things come to those who wait.' That's the motto at Seresin, the Marlborough-based winery that prouds itself as an uncommon, 'new world winery with an old world approach'. Actually, they're not that uncommon as there are …
Did you get a long weekend last week? I joined in the throng of people making their way northwards in search of sunshine, landing in Noosa (along with half of Victoria's winemakers apparently) for a …
Aged Clare Riesling and aged Hunter Semillon - two superb Australian wine styles that deserve more love. Here's a pair of fine examples, both released as mature wines. Thomas Wines Cellar Reserve Braemore Hunter Valley Semillon …
Grenache is back. Not that it every really went anywhere, but there's a palpable sense of enthusiasm for Grenache (and notably Australian Grenache) that wasn't there a few years back. Of course it was only three vintages …
While I struggle through the man flu and can't smell anything, here are a few Shiraz/Syrah to pass the desk recently. Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Shiraz 2014 This is the best Art Series Shiraz I've …
Bannockburn Extended Lees Contact Geelong Chardonnay 2011 Here's a wine that fits somewhere in between experiment and frankenwine (depending on your perspective). It's a Chardonnay from Bannockburn in Geelong that spent an astonishing four lees in barrel/tank …
It's amazing to think that, within a few hundred kilometres on Italian motorways, Nebbiolo has 3 different names. Three! Yet despite all that divergence, our Australian context for 'the king of grapes' tends to start …
Orlando Abrigo Barbaresco Montersino 2011 Had this at Armando Al Pantheon in Rome, which was easily the biggest food disappointment of the trip (overcooked food and surly service). Even had the somm tell me that they 'only stock …
Inkwell Deeper Well Shiraz 2011 The Deeper Well is Dudley Brown & Irina Santiago Brown's super premium Shiraz release, intended to serve as a barrel selection of the most age-worthy bits. Indeed, Dudley believes this Shiraz is …
Xanadu Reserve Margaret River Chardonnay 2014 Xanadu's run of great Chardonnay continues. This is superb modern Margaret River Chardonnay, of the type that makes people wax lyrical about Chardonnay from the region. There's a depth of …
The easy joy of Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling 2011 The wine world would be a better place if more Australians appreciated wines like this. Flowers would smell even sweeter. Birds would tweet even more beautifully. …
Chateau d'Yquem 1990-2011: Working With Wine Flight 4 This was the final flight in the 2016 Negociants Working With Wine seminar series and easily the most anticipated. Check out the other flights here, here and here …
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.