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.
Cracking Pinot Noir from De Bortoli
Very impressed with pretty much everything De Bortoli are making at the moment. Steve Webber is heading off in the direction of restraint, low alcohol and elegance, and that’s exactly…
Penfolds to price fix Grange?
Interesting article in the Drinks Business today by Patrick Schmitt. He has interviewed David Dearie, who is the new CEO of Treasury Wine Estates, which includes Penfolds, who make Australia’s…
Catching up with Yabby Lake
Caught up with Tom Carson today, over lunch with him and Robin Davis of SWIG. He’s winemaker at Mornington Peninsula winery Yabby Lake, which is one of Australia’s new stars. We…
St Hallett Dawkins Vineyard Shiraz
Now this is interesting. It’s a new single-vineyard Shiraz from Barossa producer St Hallett, and it has bags of personality. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it’s distinctive and…
At the tennis, celeb spotting and a 1947 tawny
Just come back from a great day at Wimbledon, courtesy of Pernod Ricard, owners of Jacob’s Creek. A merry band was gathered, including Decanter editor Guy Woodward, Harpers editor Richard…