From Wirra Wirra’s newish biodynamic label, complete with great packaging, comes the Wirra Wirra Amator Nouveau 2020. A blend of McLaren Vale Grenache, Shiraz and Touriga with 5% whole bunches and …
As the name suggests this is McLaren Vale Mataro/Mourvedre/choose your m name with 100% whole bunches. Matt East tinkering with Mataro here, and carries his trademark light touch. You don’t …
Of all the Hickinbotham Wines, this Merlot is probably the least naturally convincing. Still quality Merlot, just that its brothers are exceptional. The winemaking, as ever, is a-grade. Wild fermented. 21 …
It seems this celebrity wine thing isn't going away. Following closely on the release of Ricky Ponting's new wines, comes another celeb drinks project backed by the same group. This time, however, it's …
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 …
The evolution of Angove's premium wine push continues. This McLaren Vale red comes off the now certified organic, circa 90yo Warboys vineyard and it looks every bit the artisan Vale …
Another joyful, incredibly well-priced McLaren Vale red from Allan Varney. This Varney Entrada G.M.T 2019 is a blend of Blewitt Springs & Seaview Grenache, Whites Valley $ Blewitt Springs Mourvèdre, …
After such a shit year, surely it's time you spoilt yourself this Christmas? An excuse to open something even more special? Something, like the exceptional Hickinbotham The Peake Cabernet Shiraz …
Let's call it the grand vin culture. For decades, the push has been for ever-more premiumisation (hate that word) in wine. More super cuvée releases, more barrel selections, more single block, …
Fun fact: Shiraz makes up over 25% of all winegrapes crushed in Australia, and South Australia has the largest vineyard area with 76,292ha (Wine Australia figures 19/20). But what I want …
After cracking the lid on this resoundingly good Grenache, I was tempted to text Juxtaposed winemaker Wes Pearson and tell him to put his prices up. Which I've done for …
What deliciousness again from Yangarra. This Yangarra Noir 2019 is a blend of 62% Grenache, 15% Shiraz, 12% Mourvedre, 6% Carignan, 3% Cinsault, 2% Counoise. It's smashable red wine of …
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, …
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 …
Allan Varney's Grenache-based reds are uniformly good. All of them. Let's call it a talent. This Varney GSM 2018 is my pick of the lot. Handling-wise it ticks all the boxes. …
Fully worked McLaren Vale Grillo, with this Lino Ramble Solitaire 2019 fermented wild on full solids, with no additions bar some SO2. Gently textured style, all yellow apple fruit with a …
This Yangarra Roux Beaute Roussanne 2018 is challenging white wine. Clever, ambitious, and built for the long term. But it almost needs to come with a disclaimer - 'read winemaking …
I am very here for the new wave of McLaren Vale Nero. So black. So juicy, so much flavour. This Lino Ramble Tom Bowler Nero d’Avola 2018 comes from two …
Deadly serious Roussanne from McLaren Vale. Arguably this Yangarra Roussanne 2019 is too serious, the edges phenolic and firm, the palate backwards and still breaking out after 7 months in …
Rusty Mutt is the label of Geoff Merrill Wines winemaker Scott Heidrich, who crafts generous, warm-hearted McLaren Vale reds (and a chunky Viognier). This Rusty Mutt Rocky Ox Grenache Shiraz …
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