Vinea Marson Rosè 2015 Amidst the clamour for rosé (one of the fastest growing segments in the wine industry) it's always great to know that not everyone ascribes to the 'must taste like Provence rosé' theory. …
From solid drinks to faulty train wrecks (and everything in between), the Almost Club is for wines that didn't hit the Australian Wine Review 'recommended' mark (17/20, 90/100) in August 2018. Note that there is friendly …
Oh yes, this is a big edition! As the name suggests, these are the 34 wines that almost made the Australian Wine Review top grade (of 17/20 or 90/100+) this month. Some missed the mark by a …
Castello Di Brolio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2011 Most Gran Selezione leaves me a bit cold. This, again, has too much oak. But it's sexy oak. Does that help? Luxurious oak. Cadbury Chocolate powder fills every corner. …
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 miss the mark completely. Why post …
It's great to be home. Great, in particular, to be back on my own pillow. Italian pillows fall into one of two camps - a) stunted lumps or b) shapeless fluff balls. I then end up …
It’s that time of the month again – time to collate a range of wines that didn’t quite make the grade. Plenty opened this month, which is why this list is longer than usual… Bremerton Langhorne Creek …
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 …
Following on from yesterday's 'Sangiovese in situ' post, today it's the turn of Chianti Classico. This lineup was presented directly following the Sangiovese bracket and follows the same format. Again, comments from Albiera and Paolo are …
I'm in catchup mode here, as this tasting was part of Seminar 1 of the Working With Wine series, and Seminar 2 is happening this week. Excuse my tardiness. Essentially this 'Sangiovese in situ' bracket was …
I googled Tignanello this afternoon while on the hunt for some information about alcohol percentage (didn't learn much), and discovered that the name is better known as a handbag brand than as a wine label. I'm …
It's roundup time! These are some of the odds and ends that haven't quite made it up on to the site so far this month. Wines are listed from higher to lower scores... 10X Mornington Peninsula Sauvignon …
Pizzini Sangiovese Shiraz 2013 This is the entry level to Pizzini's new extensive range of Sangiovese/Sangiovese blends. High five Pizzini for having a go at really celebrating Sangio. On the back of the label this is described …
Dodgy Bros. DODG Vino Sangiovese 2014 This is Wes 'Dodgy' Pearson's fun taken on a joven Sangiovese, complete with cheeky name and all. 30% whole bunches, sourced from Blewitt Springs with 13% Merlot from other parts …
Hugh Hamilton The Mongrel McLaren Vale Sangiovese Blend 2013 This is described on the Hugh Hamilton website as 'luncheon wine', with a great description of how important good drinking wines are.Yet this just Sangiovese Shiraz blend …
November Tasting Notes Roundup A few wines that passed the Australian Wine Review tasting bench during November - lots of 'almosts' this month, plus some real surprises from Taltarni. Tenefeate Creek Merlot 2011 (Adelaide, SA) 14% $20 From …
A mixed bag from Antinori I've always thought of Antinori as being a little like Penfolds - ubiquitous in the local market (for Antinori that is Italy) and with a reputation for quality, if not always …
Antinori Tignanello 2010 (Tuscany, Italy) 13.5%, Cork, $125 How do you like your Tuscan reds? Rich and full, or more elegant and medium bodied? If you chose the former then this archetypal modern red is right in the …
Henry's Drive Pillar Box Rosé 2013 (Padthaway, SA) 13%, Screwcap, $20 Source: Sample www.henrysdrive.com A blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc, this is about as cynical as pink wines get. It's not even that cheap.. Light coppery pink colour, the …
Tintilla TarantellsHad me singing Pendulum Tintilla Tarantella 2009 (Hunter Valley, NSW)13.5%, Screwcap, $30Source: Samplewww.tintilla.com.au For the life of me I can't find any reference to a vintage on this bottle. It might be in the small print …
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.