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 …
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 …
Let's not bullshit, the vast majority of wines made aren't compelling. They're not. There's a tiny quantity that are compelling, but most are are pleasant, well made, if unexciting. And …
John Duval Annexus Mataro 2016 Would you believe that this is ex-Penfolds winemaker John Duval's first ever straight Mataro? Like Grenache, Barossa Mataro/Mourvedre/Monastrell/choose your name is enjoying a well earned revival …
After getting stuck into Penfolds this week for a lack of authenticity in their mooted new releases, I figure it's only right today to highlight a producer that is making …
Tim Smith Wines Mataro 2016 Texture. That's what I like about Tim's wines. He's a genuine guy, and his wines look authentic too, with generous Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz the standouts …
Schwarz Meta Mataro 2017 Another easy drink from the Schwarz Meta line. Handpicked and wild fermented Barossa Mataro with 20% whole bunches. This is a wine built to please. Purple edged, it’s …
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 …
There is another side to the Barossa. A side that sits beyond big brands, the cellar doors, the marketing budgets and the volume. A world where producers are small, the wines …
Dub Style No. 1 Mataro 2015 Dudley and Irina are pumping out value bangers at Inkwell lately, and this single vineyard Mataro is on point. Oh and Mataro, from McLaren Vale? …
Rock of Wisdom Barossa Mataro 2014 Another new name to me and plenty of interest here. Rock of Wisdom is the label of Pete ('Rock') + Sofi ('Wisdom') Hiscock who are making …
It's that time again! These wines haven't quite made it into full review status this month. I'm a bit behind (living out of a suitcase does that), hence why this list …
Schwarz Meta Mataro 2015 The evidence of just how good Barossa Mataro can be continues to mount. Looking into my crystal ball, I predict that, Grenache and Mataro are the future …
Tim Smith Barossa Mataro 2015 I loved this wine's big brother. Delicious. This is isn't quite in the same league but still quality. Dark ruby, black fruit, menthol, dark berries. Announces itself …
Tim Smith Wines Reserve Barossa Mataro 2015 I first got wind of this wine earlier in the year when hassling Tim for a vintage report. He let slip that the first …
I've been lucky to have tasted the Mitchell Harris wines since the start, way back in 2010 when Johnno Harris was still a winemaker at Mount Avoca and the Mitchell …
Mitchell Harris Pyrenees Mataro 2012 Mataro - a tricky grape to get perfectly ripe, even from old bushvines in warm Barossa. Seems even trickier in cooler western Victoria. 10% whole bunches used …
Schwarz Wine Co. Meta Mataro 2013 Do you like the label? The Jaffa orange label is the only oddity for this seriously good modern Barossa Mataro from Jason Schwarz. It's really really …
Label to watch: Ministry of Clouds There are some wine producers who just 'get it'. Producers who, quite simply, make great wines that have great commerical appeal.Julian Forwood and Bernice Ong …
Hither & Yon Grenache Mataro 2013 (McLaren Vale, SA)14.6%, Screwcap, $25This might be the most drinkable, mature Hither & Yon red I've tried. It smells of bitumen, redcurrants, garrique and horsehair, …
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