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 …
Heathcote Fiano from the rising (and now certified organic) Tellurian. Varietal, and quite convincing Fiano. Lemongrass and nectarine, the palate lightly textured and lemony with some pithy phenolic as to finish. …
Wes Pearson's Fiano packs in some intensity. This Juxtaposed Bigger Boat Fiano 2019 comes off the Lacey Vineyard in McLaren Vale. Whole bunch pressed to barrel, fermented wild, kept on …
Not all wines can be great. Plenty are just ok drinks. And some are just bad. Here’s a selection of wines that almost made it in October 2019. I like plenty …
In what has become something of a tradition (posts here, here, here, here and here for starters), I went to this year's 2019 Sydney Royal Wine Show exhibitor event tasting …
I love textured white wines. Alsace field blends? Gimme. Barrel fermented Margaret River Sauv? Yes please. But every year, the 'textural white' segment disappoints. I get that it's a balancing act to …
Not all wines can be great. Plenty are just ok drinks. And some are just bad… Here’s a selection of wines that almost made it in July 2019. I like plenty …
I'm finally getting back into some sort of normal programming this week, or whatever that means when you're a new parent. The little one is sleeping, but the days now …
I missed December's Almost Club edition (holidays), so this is a huge crop of almostness... As the name suggests, here are the wines that almost hit the mark for me in …
The premise with this collection is very very simple - I've been hitting the sample pile hard over the past week or two, and these 30 wines were not only …
Wine shows cop a lot of flack. You need only read the feedback to my post on the 2018 Sydney Royal Wine Show exhibitors tasting to see that. But is …
From great value quaffers to absolute train wrecks, this month's compilation of 'almost' wines is a biggun'. I'm always conscious of my prejudice against overripeness and heavy-handed oak, but I call …
Fiano has quite some potential in Australia - and notably in McLaren Vale. The Vale has a climate that isn't far from sothern Campania or Sicily, with the beaches outside …
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 …
What a disappointment this lineup was. So many boring wines, with too many edging towards flavourless, acidic water territory. Obviously price plays an important part here, but that doesn't excuse …
I'm just cleaning up the Evernote folder today (love Evernote, helps keep my notes together on all devices) and discovered a few more tidbits from the big Hunter pre-release tasting …
Coriole Fiano 2014 (McLaren Vale, SA) It's getting to the point now where Coriole's Fiano is not just a token pitch at bringing a slice of Campania to McLaren Vale, but …
Coriole Fiano 2012 (McLaren Vale, SA) 12%, Screwcap, $25Source: Sample www.coriole.com Tasted: April 2013Tasted a year ago, but comprehensive notes. Probably my favourite Coriole Fiano of the last 3 vintages, edging out the …
Coriole Fiano 2013 (McLaren Vale, SA) 13%, Screwcap, $25Source: Sample www.coriole.com A slightly softer expression of the Coriole Fiano this year, though I notice everyone else seems to love it. Just call me …
Coriole Fiano Calamari friendly Coriole Fiano 2011 (McLaren Vale, SA) 13%, Screwcap, $25Source: Samplewww.coriole.com For some reason every time I hear the word Fiano I want to sing it. Like this but 'that's Fiano'. …
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