Australian Wine and Drinks Review

A proud bit of Hilltops style with the Hungerford Hill 2023 Shiraz

There are a handful of Australian wine regions that are famous, but not famous enough. Hilltops is such a place. With a long history of viticulture, a kaleidoscope of grape varieties…
The lush and proper affordable Chapel Hill The MV Shiraz 2023

$25. That’s how much this Chapel Hill The MV Shiraz 2023 is going for in retail land right now. It’s far too good for so few dollars. Slick, purple, with this…
Superstar Grenache with the new Juxtaposed Smart Vineyard Grenache 2023

As ever, my ham-fisted photography does Wes Pearson’s info-heavy Juxtaposed labels no justice (which Wes reminds me about all the time), and no change here. Lucky, the wines are top shelf.…
Reaching for Bordeaux with the Stockman’s Ridge Signature Range Left Bank 2022

Before we start on this wine, the regional commentary on it’s brother wine stands yet again. Someone argue me down about Orange’s Bordeaux grape focus, yeah? This Signature Range Left Bank…
More Meredith interest with the Big Fundamental Riesling 2024

If you’re at all interested in the interesting end of Australian wine, the Young Guns Top 50 Winemakers list is a handy compilation of names to watch. Sure, some of the…
Sophisticated rosé from Meredith – the Marnie Rosé 2024

Ben Luker’s Meredith Wines label throws up plenty of thoughtful western Victorian wines, but of all the 2024 vintage releases, this rosé might be the most surprising – it’s definitely a…
The super snappy Parish Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Let’s get stuck into the sample pile this week, hey? From Forcett in Tassie comes a crisp, if slightly too firm, Sauvignon Blanc made by the Hill Smith Family’s Tasmanian operation.…
The taste of redemption – 11 wines that made it this April 2025

I call this the anti-Almost Club. Monday’s monthly dive into the ‘Almost Club‘ wines can seem negative, so today it’s about wines that actually did make it, with an emphasis on…
The Almost Club April 2025 edition – 11 wines that almost made it this month

Not all wines can be great. Plenty are just ‘ok drinks’, and some are just bad… Here are 11 wines that almost made the silver medal, Australian Wine and Drinks Review…
A visit to Champagne Larmandier-Bernier

I almost missed it from the road. Visiting Champagne Larmandier-Bernier, and there is just a plaque, with a house and a shed behind it. No chateau, no plush surrounds, just a…
What have you been buying and drinking this April 2025?

It’s that time again. Time to inspire me to spend more money on drinks, even though the WineArk cabinet can’t be closed properly, and the Amex is maxed out. So, what…
Postcards from Italy (and the wines you want to know about)

With 4,000 producers across 19 halls, I had no chance. To be honest, my visit last week to Vinitaly (the Italian drinks extravaganza billed as the world’s largest wine fair) wasn’t…