We're a little down on celebrations here at Australian Wine Review HQ of late, with illness putting a temporary dampener on festivities. Still, it was my dad's 70th on the weekend, …
There isn't much Grenache planted in the Yarra, which makes this Boat O’Craigo Kincardine Grenache 2020 a bit of an outlier. I still maintain that Grenache needs more heat than …
Not all wines can be great. Plenty are just 'ok drinks', and some are just bad… Here is a selection of 13 wines that almost made it in May 2022. An important …
Closely following my post from earlier in the week, comes another assortment of holiday beverage tidbits - this time with bonus beers! As with the last collection, these are broadbrush reviews …
Breathe out, it's holiday time. I'm in Noosa this week, for a family holiday that has been postponed twice in the last 18 months (thanks to COVID). It's easy to love this …
Team Shaw + Smith, I dip my lid. If ever there was an advertisement for how professionalism and a search for continuous improvement can deliver ever better wines, then let it …
Another day, another shitty grape celebration. Hot on the back of World Marselan Day (seriously) and Tannat Day, today is International Viognier Day 2022. Now close followers of this site will …
For anyone like me who likes sunshine and warmth, late April in Sydney is a bit sad. That's because now is when you start realising that summer beach action is now …
Not all wines can be great. Plenty are just ok drinks. And some are just bad... Here is a selection of wines that almost made it in April 2022. What's always important, …
My trips to the post office to pick up wine at this time of year are always more battle than a trip. Not only is it always raining (Yes, the La …
What do you think of the label on this new Apogee Alto Pinot Noir 2020? When I first saw it I thought 'golden ticket'. Hard to photograph too (and I'm a …
2020 was a tricky vintage for the Hills (fire, uneven flowering, the lot). You can see it in this lean and unready Longview Macclesfield Chardonnay 2020. Part of the excellent Macclesfield …
Firstly, the good news - for anyone who has loved the epic concentration and other-worldly power of Rick Burge's Burge Family Winemakers reds previously, you'll be happy to know that …
Probably the most awkward wine in the excellent Longview Macclesfield range, this Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is nothing if not varietal. Cedary and dark, with molten yet leafy edged dark fruit, the …
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. But then, I fell in love with wine and craft beer, and it took over my life.
Twenty three years later and I spend my days wearing many beverage hats and judge at wine shows around the world...Read more