Believe the hype, the 2014 Hunter Valley vintage really is that good. Or at least that's what I wrote back in 2015, when it was being bandied about as 'the vintage of the century'. But three years …
Alkoomi White Label Frankland River Shiraz 2016 More than once on this site I've had the criticism that I don't talk enough about widely-available, well-priced wines (and probably fair enough too). Consider this Alkoomi White Label Frankland …
From great value quaffers to absolute train wrecks, this month's compilation of 'almost' wines is a biggun'. I'm always conscious of my prejudice against overripeness and heavy-handed oak, but I call both as symptoms of poor …
Following on from my Cabernet compilation on Monday, let me introduce you to the Shiraz/Syrah selection. Twenty of the better Shiraz to pass the desk in April, all in one handy place. I particularly like the diversity …
Warramate Shiraz 2015 Gently spicy, understated Yarra Shiraz with delicacy and lovely juicy fruit. It's richer than the 13% alcohol suggests, fractionally lifted up by oak sweetness, but with a palate that beautifully balances out freshness …
Margan Shiraz 2016 Classically proportioned Hunter Valley Shiraz. Easy to overlook wines like this, but they'll always satisfy. Sweet plum earth, some background oak sweetness, plenty of acidity and a plummy savouriness. The appeal here is …
Montalto Pennon Hill Shiraz 2016 I was sceptical. Broadly generalising, I can't think of a single Mornington Shiraz that I've really wanted to buy. Sure, some of the Paringa 'The Paringa' releases can be impressively concentrated wines. …
Redman The Last Row Coonawarra Shiraz 2015 There's an unquestionable timelessness to these Redman reds. Come back in a decade and they'll still be kicking on nicely. Here's a new release under the Last Row label, …
Schwarz Meta Shiraz 2016 This is what great modern Barossa Shiraz tastes like, from a producer doing very good things. It's a template for how modern Barossa Shiraz can taste. The oak influence is minimal, the fruit …
Soul Growers Provident Shiraz 2016 A slightly blunter Provident this year. It's bright purple and juicy, the oak a coffeed edge too what is otherwise a generous and fruity forward wine. Pulpier and more juicy, the …
It's 3 days late I know, but here are a few wines that almost hit the mark this month. Some are just good, simple drinks. Others are genuinely average to poor... Hand Crafted Montepulciano 2016 From Geoff …
Here are a few wines that almost made it in February (and a day late I know). A few serious disappointments here, and a few solid, simple wines. That Ferngrove was notably unbalanced - what's happening …
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.