I didn't expect to like the Thorn-Clarke single vineyard wines so much. But they work. Old school weight, delivered with polish and a deft hand. From the Canyon Block at Thorn-Clarke’s …
Energetic nouveau style King Valley red. This Pizzini La Volpe Nebbiolo 2018 has bright raspberry fruit and light tannins, the delivery unadulterated by oak, the overall effect so energetic. Even …
Pure class. This Oakridge Original Vineyard Cabernet 2018 is a somewhat shy - but deadly correct - Yarra Cabernet. Bright, leafy and relatively high acid style. Cool and pencily, the palate …
Between 2000 and 2010, Tempranillo was going to be the Next Big Thing, as the fastest growing (by vineyard area planted) variety globally. While the Temp. train has slowed a …
The name is quite a mouthful. But this Schild Estate Edgar Schild Old Bush Vine Reserve Grenache 2018 is just approachable and easy. Bright, ripe and glossy mod. Grenache. All mid palate …
I think the Hanging Rock table wines are most underrated. The bubbles get plenty of attention, but there's glory across the board. This Hanging Rock The Jim Jim Chardonnay 2018 …
Plenty of flavour in the Samuels Gorge range, with this Temp. delivering much at refreshingly low alcohol. This spends 10 months in largely older French oak with 10% whole bunches …
Graciano is still yet to find its feet in Australia - a variety without a local identity. This red goes a long way towards a Graciano baseline. It spends 14 months …
I long for the days when Taltarni of the modern era starts tasting like Taltarni of yesteryear. Obviously that's the past and with climate change likely impossible to replicate the …
I like the Tellurian wines. Promising organic releases with diversity of style and intensity of flavour. This Nero fits the bill too - all varietal purple blackberry fruit, the palate …
Somehow this slipped through the net. A ball that went through to the keeper, when it should have been slotted through cover for an easy boundary. This Juxtaposed Old Vine …
While not in the same tier as the other Yalumba Grenache this Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2018 is such affable drinking. From dry grown vines at Vine Vale. this generous, …
La Linea Tempranillo 2018 It has been some time since the last La Linea wines landed in the official Graham PO box and it looks like the quality has continued to …
Burton McMahon George’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018The latest release from Matt Burton & Dylan McMahon's Yarra project. Sometimes these wines have looked a little too lean, but this release looks …
Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2018 Somehow this slipped through the cracks when it first landed, and what a wine to fall through the cracks - a true benchmark for Australian Chardonnay. It spends …
I'll save you some scrolling right now. The 2018 Curly Flat Pinot range is very very good. Things are different this year, however, as normally Curly Flat Pinot Noir is an assemblage …
Not all wines can be great. Plenty are just ok drinks. And some are just bad. Here then is a selection of wines that almost made it over the past few …
Dalwood Estate is the longest running commercial vineyard in Australia, with a history that dates back to 1828 when it was first established by George Wyndham. But for years now Dalwood …
Grippy, tannin-led Margaret River Cabernet at a fair price. Drying and a little lean, but has classic perfume and a rather long palate. A little Merlot might have helped this …
Good packaging, but not much substance with these Altus Rise wines. This Altus Rise Wildlight Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is firm and lean Margaret River Cab that ends up as largely …
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