Following on from my Cabernet compilation on Monday, let me introduce you to the Shiraz/Syrah selection. Twenty of the better Shiraz to pass the desk in April, all in one handy place. I particularly like the diversity …
The Story Marsanne Roussanne Viognier 2015 Rory Lane's Rhone blend comes from the Westgate Vineyard in the Grampians, which is a great spot for Shiraz (which by conventional wisdom all Rhone varietals). This blend was wild …
Best's Great Western Sparkling Shiraz 2013 I remain perplexed that more Australian Shiraz lovers don't appreciate the sparkling form. What isn't there to like? It's red wine, but for Australian weather. Goes a treat with chilli-laden …
The Story Grampians Shiraz 2014 Rory Lane's latest Shiraz and it's a beauty - if in need of another 2 years minimum to show it's best. Sourced from three Grampians Shiraz vineyards - Rice's Vineyard, Hyde …
R. Lane Vintners Westgate Vineyard Grampians Shiraz 2014 When you're presented with absolute primo fruit you've got to go 'all out'. To really think 'how can I make the best bloody wine I can'. No shortcuts. …
Here's another new name to add to the list. Livewire is the label of Anthony Brain, a former chef who has spent time as winemaker for Bellarine Estate and De Bortoli (amongst others). Ant's been focused on …
Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2014 I'm not even sure this is commercially released, but expect high points and plenty of praise when it lands. The only thing working against this release of Mount Langi's well …
Now here is a quite unexpected exclusive. These new 2014 Best's super premium releases aren't due to be released for another few weeks, but a kindly wine rep popped around with a few open bottles. I definitely …
150 eh? Not a bad innings. Best's celebrate their 150th birthday next year and they're making a big deal about the occasion with special new packaging. To honest, I'd demand new livery if I was 150 years …
Sneak peak at 2012 Torbreck RunRig and more from Game of Rhones Today was the Sydney instalment of Game of Rhones, a clever event from Dan Sims' Bottleshop Concepts. What it entailed was a room full …
Best's White Gravels Hill Great Western Shiraz 2012 This is largely a cellar door only job, but one worth hunting out (though Great Western really is the middle of nowhere, so maybe just buy it online). …
MT.0° Shiraz 2012 (Grampians/Alpine Valleys, Vic) 14%, Screwcap, $25 This comes from the Grant Burge owned 'Vignerons of the world'. A blend of Grampians/Alpine Valleys fruit in some quite modern packaging. I'd love to know where the Alpine …
Best's Thomson Family Shiraz 2012 (Grampians, Vic)14.5%, Screwcap, $200 It's hard to think about this red without putting into the context of the dusty Best's cellars and those wonderful old vines first planted by Henry Best …
The Story Garden Gully Shiraz 2011 (Grampians, Vic)13.5%, Screwcap, $50 100 year old vines, open fermentation in old, open puncheons, 40% whole bunches, tiny production (just 80 dozen made) and bottled unfined and unfiltered. There you go, …
The Jimmy Watson Winner: Bests Bin 1 Shiraz 2011 14%, Screwcap, $25 Source: Sample www.bestswine.com This wine officially won the Jimmy Watson trophy (and 2 others) at the 2012 Royal Melbourne Wine Show last night. I tasted it a …
Best's Riesling Best's Great Western Riesling 2012 (Great Western, Grampians, Vic) 13%, Screwcap, $25Source: Samplewww.bestwines.com According to Justin Purser, the new Best's winemaker, this 2012 wine is 'slightly riper than expected'. Personally I think this looks all the …
Random Act of Winemaking Shiraz Random Acts of Winemaking Shiraz 01/10 (Grampians, Vic and Hunter Valley, NSW) 13.8%, Screwcap, $70 (cellar door only)Source: Samplewww.peppertreewines.com.au It goes against the modern 'single site wines are king' dogma to say so, …
Jamsheed Riesling. Tasty. Jamsheed Great Western Riesling 2009 12%, Screwcap, $27Source: Cellarwww.jamsheed.com.auIt's Mothers Day which means that I spent the day (or lunch at least) with my Mum eating salt and pepper mud crabs, crispy skin …
Yes the bottle is half empty. We drank theother half. Was great with my rib eye. Yum. What's The Story? Real handmade wines to impress anyone (A version of this article was in the March edition of …
Crumpled. Or at least I was the next day... 2012 Sydney Wine Show: A few of the winners As is my want, I spent last Friday and Saturday immersed in all things Sydney Wine Show related, …
At 18 I started working in a small suburban bottleshop, largely to buy cheap beer. It was my first year of university, doing a degree that I didn't really like, and a liquor shop seemed like fun. Needless to say I discovered wine, my uni degree morphed into something completely different and wine/beer took over my life.
Almost twenty years later and I currently spend my days wearing many (wine) hats, mostly as a writer, presenter and marketer.
While wearing my writer cap I write features for the likes of National Liquor News, Gourmet Traveller WINE and the RAS plus I'm a Lifestyle FOOD channel wine expert. Read more about me here or get in touch to book your next wine event with me here.