It's not Rioja, but this Juniper Estate Small Batch Tempranillo 2017 nails the berry-laden varietal mode. As much Margaret River as it is Tempranillo really, with juicy dark berries, the mouth …
The recent Camp Viejo releases are actually pretty good, the style getting a welcome polish. But this Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 2014 is lack a bad flashback. Rustic, ferrous and …
A confession - I've never been to Kangaroo Island. It's the only Australian wine GI I've not visited. The outlier. And with wines like this Juxtaposed Boomstick Tempranillo 2018, it's …
Margaret River Tempranillo from Cath Oates, the ex-Plantagenet winemaker who now makes handy Margaret River wines tapping into fruit from her brother’s vineyard at Wilyabrup. I like Cath and I …
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 …
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 …
For the final post in my 'wines that moved me in April' series comes this final collection - that I'm calling the 'better reds that aren't Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or …
I'm in research mode this week, gathering information about the 2018 vintage in the Hunter (which looks pretty promising based on early accounts). The bad news for me personally is that …
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 …
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 …
La Bise Adelaide Hills Tempranillo 2014 La Bise is Natasha Mooney's new label, and this Temp comes from the Amadio Vineyard at Kersbrook, up where the Hills head towards the Barossa. …
The 2016 Young Guns of Wine (YGOW) awards came to Sydney on Saturday, with ten of this year's finalists turning up to show their wares and help decide the 'People's Choice …
Sometimes judging a great wine when it's young can be a chore. Young Bordeaux, for example, can be a tough ask (though less and less with modern styles), as formidable tannins …
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 …
A few alternate reds from the week. Lino Ramble Tom Bowler McLaren Vale Nero d'Avola 2014 Another smart wine under this label. Handpicked, biodynamically farmed grapes that were wild fermented, basket pressed …
Ah the frustration of the acute accent on the e in rosé! So often missing in action, leaving you to wonder why someone is talking about how delicious it is …
What else do you on a rainy Boxing Day afternoon than get stuck into some fine Barossa wine? Christmas was a boozy affair here at Graham HQ, with my drinking highlight …
While I am slowly wearing down the mountain of samples that have arrived at Graham HQ over the past few weeks, it has still required frequent raiding, and today's target …
Running With Bulls Barossa Tempranillo 2014 Now this is what young Tempranillo should be. 'Perfect with tapas' says the back label. Can be picked up for well under $20, at which …
Audrey Wilkinson Tempranillo 2014 I wonder if Tempranillo will work in the Hunter? Sangiovese certainly hasn't, but perhaps Temp. will have a happier time of it. Anyway, this Audrey Wilkinson is certainly …
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, 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.
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.