The title says it all, these are 10 of the best Shiraz to pass the desk this month. This isn't a comprehensive last, as I probably taste somewhere between 6000-7000 wines a year (average 16-19 wines …
Oh yes, this is a big edition! As the name suggests, these are the 34 wines that almost made the Australian Wine Review top grade (of 17/20 or 90/100+) this month. Some missed the mark by a …
Overripe and overdone or just a particular style? That's the question that rolling around my brain when I opened these new Bremerton super premiums. Here's a winery that has made its reputation on wines with expansive flavour, …
Obviously it's July now (not June), but I did a quick trawl through the tasting book today and it revealed an interesting stat - Riesling, Chardonnay and Semillon make up the bulk of the white …
Believe the hype, the 2014 Hunter Valley vintage really is that good. Or at least that's what I wrote back in 2015, when it was being bandied about as 'the vintage of the century'. But three years …
From great value quaffers to absolute train wrecks, this month's compilation of 'almost' wines is a biggun'. I'm always conscious of my prejudice against overripeness and heavy-handed oak, but I call both as symptoms of poor …
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 …
Following on from my Cabernet compilation on Monday, let me introduce you to the Shiraz/Syrah selection. Twenty of the better Shiraz to pass the desk in April, all in one handy place. I particularly like the diversity …
As close followers would have noticed, I've been on a mission this month, trying to get the sample pile back into shape. Now we're nearing the end of April and I'm still behind, so it's time …
Goodman Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Classic Yarra Valley Cabernet. There's a timelessness to this mode of red, even if it's slightly uncool in the modern riper Cab world. Cassis, pencils shavings, a vegetal hint and backed by …
Pizzini La Volpe Nebbiolo 2014 Tangy, light bodied King Valley Nebbiolo with easy appeal. Hints of mint, a liberal dose of Neb brickdust and light cherry flavours. I like the varietal flavour here, even if it's …
Australian Montepulciano shouldn't be this good, surely? That was going through my brain when I tasted the Amadio Heritage Selection Kersbrook Montepulciano 2014. Here, you're looking at a ripe and plush, Australian take on the red grape …
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.