I haven't been tasting as much this week after Miss 2 brought home a virus from daycare and took out the whole house like a rogue wave at a Nippers …
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 March 2021. You can …
This didn't feel like a normal NYE. But with a toddler, what counts a 'normal' NYE anyway? More importantly, who cares about New Years? Regardless, I opened plenty of tasty drinks …
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 to a pass mark …
I feel like a broken record, but here is another ‘good’ Coonawarra red that might have been great with less oak. This Patrick of Coonawarra Home Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 …
Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Joyous Festivus (take your pick of chosen intro). This has been a very weird Christmas for us. Here, situated in the only part of Australia in lockdown, Christmas …
I wish these Zema wines were just a little less overt. More elegance, tone down the oak and alcohol. This Zema Estate Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, for instance, is …
Yarra Valley in full luncheon claret mode. That's the pitch with this Zonzo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 in all its leafy, elegant glory. It's understated, driven by acidity, elegance and …
Robust. That's how you can describe the Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. Dark colours, blackberry coulis on the nose and thick, berried palate edging towards overripeness, the tannins drying out the …
I feel like a broken record, but this Blue Pyrenees Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is another gruff and robust Cabernet. The pick of the estate range, which is full of gruff …
This Chapel Hill The Parson Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a value champ. Firm, hearty, varietal McLaren Vale Cabernet in a robust mode. An overachiever for just $20. Minty, dark berry fruit, …
Robust is putting it mildly - this Taylors St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is a beast. Minty, firm and uncompromising, with oak lifting up the palate, but tannins squaring it off again. …
It's a bit rough-edged, but this Hastwell & Lightfoot Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 has heart and power. Smoked chocolate oak, some varietal/regional mint and a burly, true McLaren Vale Cabernet palate. The …
Notch up this Oates Ends Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 as another top shelf Margaret River Cabernet from Cath Oates, just like previous high quality releases (like this one). Maybe a little more …
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 the environment.
Twenty one years later and I spend my days wearing many (wine) hats, mostly as a writer, presenter and marketer. and judge at wine shows around the world...Read more