You've come a long way baby... Ever wondered how the Calabria family have managed to conquer the Riverina, including buying the McWilliams family businesses for circa $30m? It's with wines like this …
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 …
This is just a taste of the finest big reds that passed the desk this November. Background notes in italics. Oakridge Original Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Spends 3 weeks on skins post …
Eldorado Road Onyx Durif 2015 This has to be one of the best Durif in Australia. From a single vineyard in Rutherglen, this is what the grape should taste like. Black …
Here's a selection of wines that were almost great. Some are just good, solid wines that are occasionally unready, through to slightly underwhelming/unexciting, and rounded out with a few wines that …
I've been engrossed in moving house this month so less wine than usual. Will be rectifying that this week. Eden Road The Long Road Canberra Pinot Gris 2016 A 'ramato' style skin contact …
Centenary of Griffith Durif 2015 Durif doesn't get much love. Or at least enough love. Certainly not enough given just how much flavour good Durif packs in - and often at …
Eldorado Road Onyx Durif 2014 Durif is one of those grapes that, despite endless promise, never quite gets beyond 'solid'. The variety is great if you want thick and deep reds, …
All Saints Family Cellar Durif 2012 I've always wondered about how well Durif sells. Well suited to northern Victorian vineyards, no doubt, but still somewhat of an obscure variety in the …
A few alternate reds from the week. Lino Ramble Tom Bowler McLaren Vale Nero d'Avola 2014 Another smart wine under this label. Handpicked, biodynamically farmed grapes that were wild fermented, basket pressed …
Calabria Three Bridges Durif 2013 Want red wine you can chew on, for a very fair price? Then Bill Calabria is your man. Bill's 'Calabria Wines' (nee Westend) are constant overachievers …
Penfolds Collection 2014: The other releases inc. 2012 Cellar Reserve Cabernet Shiraz and a Penfolds Durif The backdrop to the Penfolds masterclass - Melbourne at its prettiest While the Bin range and …
I'm back at university this week in sunny Dookie, completing my residential block for this semester's Managing Grapevine Physiology subject. It's always a pleasurable change of pace to slip back into …
Westend Durif - even better than you think Westend 3 Bridges Durif 2010 14.5%, Screwcap, $25 Source: Sample www.westendestate.com It often surprises me how many well-known wine industry folk are teetotallers. It seems such a …
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