I’m a hypocrite. I go on all the time about how I love balance and elegance; I sing the praises of low alcohol, lightweight reds. And then I come across…
Yalumba Viognier 2010 Eden Valley
Impressive stuff from Yalumba who have pioneered this variety in Australia. They also do an excellent cheaper Viognier in their Y series which is almost as good. But this version,…
Picardy – elegance from Western Australia
I have just written up the fabulously stylish Picardy wines from Western Australia’s Pemberton region. You can read the full review here. They’re just so elegant, and probably my favourite…
Two lovely wines from St Hallett
Impressed with these wines from Barossa producer St Hallett. The Faith Shiraz is riper and quite seductive, but with lovely fruit purity. The more expensive Scholz is deeper coloured, but…
Jamsheed Silvan Syrah is a beautiful wine
This is the new face of Australian wine. Wines from distinguished sites, naturally made, with personality, elegance and a sense of place. It’s from Jamsheed, a small producer making wines…
The IMW Australian Shiraz masterclass
Just on my way back from the Institute of Masters of Wine Australian Shiraz Masterclass. It was led by a distinguished group of Aussie winegrowers: Tim Kirk (Clonakilla), Julian Castagna,…
Some tasty wines from First Drop
Really impressed by this latest batch of wines from First Drop, who I reviewed a while back. These wines seem to manage to combine ripe fruit with freshness to great…
The 50th vintage of Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz
Early in my wine drinking journey, I was heavily influenced by the Penfolds bin series reds – 28, 128 and 389. Grange, although cheap by today’s standards at £35, was…
Video: tasting three rather interesting Chardonnays
A short film of me tasting three interesting Chardonnays, two from Australia and one from South Africa.