Penfolds are possibly Australia’s leading red wine brand. They make a series of celebrated ‘Bin’ red wines that culminates in one of the planet’s most famous wines, famously once described…
Penfolds’ Chardonnays, from Koonunga Hill to Yattarna
Penfolds are famous for their Bin Series reds, a range led by the world famous Grange. But back in the mid-1990s they decided to try their hand at whites, and…
Pewsey Vale Riesling 2014 Eden Valley, Australia
Enjoyed this new vintage of Pewsey Vale Riesling. From memory, I think it’s the best vintage I’ve had of it. I have also always loved the label. At around £12…
Top new world fizz from Graham Beck and Josef Chromy
Super-impressed by these two sparkling wines from the ‘new world’ – specifically South Africa and Australia. They’re both available from UK retailer Marks & Spencer (I strongly suspect that the…
Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon, comparing 2007 and 2013
Nice to be able to try these two Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillons side by side. As many of you know, Semillon is the speciality of Australia’s Hunter Valley wine region….
Cloudburst: the remarkable emergence of a cult Margaret River wine brand
Cloudburst is a really interesting and slightly controversial wine project in Margaret River. Interesting? Because the wines are so good. Controversial? Because of high prices, despite the lack of any…
Vinteloper Odeon Pinot Noir 2012 Adelaide Hills
Dave Bowley, the Vinteloper, came round to dinner. And he bought this: one of the best Australian Pinot Noirs that I have tasted. It’s from a single Vineyard in Lenswood,…
Lunch with Mac Forbes
Mac Forbes was in town so we lunched at 28:50 in Maddox Street. I’ve long been a fan of his wines, and wrote about him at length here. But I can’t…
Wakefield The Pioneer Shiraz and The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon
Wakefield, known in Australia as Taylors, are a leading Clare Valley producer, and they have recently begun making two very high-end wines: The Pioneer Shiraz and The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon….