Not all wines can be great. In fact plenty are just ok drinks. And some are just bad... Here's a selection of wines that didn't quite excite me in May. Several …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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