Following closely after the superb Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz comes another revelatory release. This Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc Shiraz 2018 is a blend of 63% Cab Franc to …
Easily the most embryonic Curly Chard I've had in some time, with this Curly Flat Chardonnay 2018 looking definitively cool climate. Caramel nougat over a palate that is tighter, leaner, snap …
Just like any of the recent vintages (like this, or way back here) this Wirra Wirra Church Block 2018 is a success. A reminder that affordable, widely available reds don't …
McLaren Vale Cabernet is most underrated. Or, it's just a bit forgotten in the Vale hierarchy, even though the region's Cab is amongst the oldest in South Australia. This Penny’s …
Perhaps the least natural winner of the Thorn-Clarke Single Vineyard Selection range (behind wines like the Shiraz), but what do you expect for a Barossan Malbec? Actually, this Thorn-Clarke Single …
Thick, purple fruited Pyrenees Shiraz with deep, chunky and powerful purple berry fruit and layered with sweet oak. Oh yes, this Blue Pyrenees Section One Shiraz 2018 makes a big …
While not quite in the same echelon as the Mataro, this Thorn-Clarke Single Vineyard Selection Grenache 2018 is handy drinking. From the 'Old Vine Block' it's all bright red raspberry Grenache …
While not quite of the same calibre as the exceptional Tiers, this Tapanappa Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 2018 is another solid Adelaide Hills Chardonnay. Tight and citrussy lemon butter style, the palate …
This Hickinbotham The Nest Cabernet Franc 2018 or the regal Cab Sauv? It’s a toss-up on first glance as both wines are so impressive. The straight Cabernet ultimate rises above, …
Not quite a bolt from the blue, but these Thorn Clarke Single Vineyard wines are very good. This Thorn Clarke Single Vineyard Selection Mataro 2018 is one of the highlights. From …
Today is Cabernet Day, which, like all the other days, no one cares about bar a handful of marketers. But you know that already. Rather than stew on why we need …
This is now the third bottle of Tapanappa Tiers Chardonnay 2018 and each time it gets better. Now officially at 'phwoar' level. For a little context about Tiers, you need to …
As the name suggests, these are the Top 20 Shiraz of August 2020. There was more Shiraz this month, there always is. But these are the wines I want to …
Another successful release, with this Longview Nebbiolo Saturnus 2018 another solid varietal Aus Nebb. Glossy red raspberry kirsch fruit, fine tannins. Might need a bit more tannic drive to be sublime …
I haven't seen any of the newest d'Arenberg releases, probably because of this review of the Dead Arm. Life is too short to not be brutally honest. Wines like this …
McLaren Vale via Portugal. Just don't call it port or everyone will be pissed. This Dodgy Bros Vintage Fortified 2018 is built in a fashion that is mod-Port too. An …
My expectations for cricket legend Ricky Ponting's new Ponting Wines were very low. That's a hangover from years of experience with consistently shithouse celebrity 'collaboration wine' - like the middling Greg …
Hard to keep up with all the Altus Rise wines, but this Altus Rise Ascension Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a cut above the rest. Margaret River Cabernet from an ambitious …
Dead serious Victorian Nero. Typically generous and black-fruited. But it's also such a savoury wine, with this Eldorado Road Comrade Nero d’Avola 2018 carrying a limitless, a blackness. Compelling in …
Quintessential Durif from Paul Dahlenburg (Bear) and Lauretta Schulz (Laurie) using fruit from vineyards at Eldorado & Rutherglen. Paul is doing excellent work at Baileys FWIW too. The criticism with Durif …
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