This Oates Ends Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2020 is very much how I remember the best barrel-fermented Margaret River SSB styles that I first fell in love with back in the …
I love textured white wines. Alsace field blends? Gimme. Barrel fermented Margaret River Sauv? Yes please. But every year, the 'textural white' segment disappoints. I get that it's a balancing act to …
I've been digging in the notebook this week and discovered a choice tasting from last year that didn't get a run here on site - the 2018 Voyager Estate Masterclass. For …
Following on from Monday's article on blends, I thought it only fair to back it up with a selection of the better white and red blends to pass the desk …
I'm in notebook digging mode this week and landed upon my scribbles from this year's Masters of Wine Sydney 2012 Bordeaux tasting. I make it a habit to go to this …
Based purely on subjective gut feel, I've presumed that Sauvignon Blanc sales in Australia have peaked and over the past year or so are on the downward slope. Turns out that …
Firstly, thanks everyone who responded to my post yesterday. I really appreciate all the kinds words and advice. Hopefully, I can deliver more of what you want! Meanwhile, let's talk about …
Chateau d'Yquem 1990-2011: Working With Wine Flight 4 This was the final flight in the 2016 Negociants Working With Wine seminar series and easily the most anticipated. Check out the other …
Working With Wine Highlights: Flight 3 2007 Sauternes You're probably best starting here for this series of posts. The 3rd flight introduced some bottle age into the equation and, despite it being another …
Working With Wine Highlights: Flight 2 Sauternes 2013 (inc. '13 d'Yquem) Following on from yesterday's Flight of top sweet wines, today it is all about Sauternes, with the excellent 2013 vintage …
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 …
Still more satisfaction in Margaret River Sauv Sem styles than straight Sauv. Yet the single varietal wine sells more. Ugh.. Green straw coloured, this is slightly muted to start before a …
Bordeaux 2010: An IMW mega tasting of 20+ top Bordeaux Tasting young Cabernet is hard. Actually, it's not technically hard at all, just unfun. Sure, you can recognise potential, and the great …
Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2014 There's now a photo of founder Michael Wright on the back of this Voyager Estate bottle, along with a nice vista of the estate. Good …
Willow Bridge Dragonfly Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2014 I've always thought that these Willow Bridge Dragonfly wines are much better than the naming and label suggests. I hate to say it, but …
Pepper Tree Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014 A blend of Hunter Semillon and Tasmanian Sauvignon Blanc. Unusual, but theoretically interesting, combo. Green apple citrus, largely derived from the Semillon, the palate light and …
Willow Bridge Bookends Fume Geographe Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2013 Interesting to look at this just a few days after working through the 2013 Cullen whites at cellar door. For mine, this …
December Tasting Notes Roundup A few hits and misses from the tasting bench this month. A special mention to the Streiker (hit) and the Bleasdale (miss).La Linea TRKN Riesling 2013 (Adelaide …
Clairault Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2014 (Margaret River, WA) Our love affair with single varietals (and Sauvignon Blanc) has seen the 'Margaret River Classic Dry White' fall out of fashion in recent …
Snake + Herring Perfect Day Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2013 (Margaret River, WA) 12.5%, Screwcap, $23 Handpicked and whole bunch pressed; 68% tank fermented with full solids, 32% barrel ferment with wild yeast; …
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