It's halfway through spring. Already. That escalated quickly... As the name suggests, these are the best pink/blush/salmon orange/reddish coloured Australian rosé to pass the Australian Wine Review tasting bench this springtime. …
The latest step forward into premium wine for Bill Calabria and family, this Calabria Alternato 2017 is an unusual blend of Barossa Durif, Nero d’Avola, Montepulciano and Shiraz. Blackberry fruited, warm …
Jason Schwarz's typically approachable Meta wines in good form again. This Schwarz Wine Co. Meta Mataro 2019 is handpicked Barossa fruit, wild fermented with 28% whole bunches. A berry delight …
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 …
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 …
Always like Jason Schwarz's Meta wines. Barossa drinkability plus. This Schwarz Meta Grenache 2019 is a bright, light and vibrant style, sourced from old vine fruit, and all tank matured …
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 …
Dom Torzi's Barossa Sangiovese and every bit the uncomplicated and delicious drink. Indeed this Vigna Cantina Sangiovese 2019 is varietal, bright, and stuffed full of summer berries and sandy Sangiovese …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
What a joy these Yalumba Grenache wines are. Pure celebrations of old vines, and complemented by winemaking that is deliberately understated. Well fucking done. This Yalumba Tri-Centenary Grenache 2015 is the top …
Enter another satisfyingly Barossan red. This stubby bottle of Schild Estate Narrow Road Vineyard Shiraz Cabernet 2017 lobs up an unending decadence that is undeniably attractive. It's not subtle, oak plays a …
It's time to get serious. Serious, about Barossa Shiraz. Typically we don't drink much Barossa Shiraz in this house, purely because fighting through some of the oak and alcohol excesses isn't …
Don't mind me, I'll just be over here banging on about how good Barossa Grenache is (again). This red is a year old than the Vine Vale and a different …
Grenache is one of the most exciting varieties in the country. Australia is blessed with a wondrous resource of old vine Grenache and it's only in the last decade or …
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