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WINE OF THE WEEK: Robert Oatley Semaphore Series Chardonnay 2022, Australia
This appealing, affordable and well-balanced example of modern Australian Chardonnay goes against the trend for regional identity.
Jan 2


WINE OF THE WEEK: Wave Crest Mount Benson Shiraz 2022, Mount Benson, Australia
This is a pure, fresh, cool-climate style of Aussie Shiraz, with enticing raspberry and white pepper flavours
Aug 15, 2024


WINE OF THE WEEK: Kleine Zalze Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier 2021, Western Cape, South Africa
£9.99/£7.49, Waitrose Almost everything I said about the 2016 vintage of this Cape red when singing its praises back in 2018 holds true...
Mar 28, 2024


Standing Taller Than Ever: the Old-Vine Wines of Torbreck in the Barossa
The journey through Torbreck old-vine Barossa wines with chief winemaker Ian Hongell at Noizé restaurant in London in February 2024...
Mar 5, 2024


WINE OF THE WEEK: Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2020/2021, Coonawarra, Australia
£11.99/£14.99, Majestic It's gratifying to be able to say that had I been tasting either of these vintages blind I'm sure I would have...
Jan 19, 2023


WINE OF THE WEEK: Porcupine Ridge Shiraz 2021, Swartland, South Africa
£5.99 (on offer) Waitrose, £6.50 (on offer) Sainsbury's This plush, generous Cape Shiraz is good value at its full price of £8.49 and a...
Jan 5, 2023


Penfolds French-ish Launches, the New Grange, the Fabled Bin 60A and More
When Penfolds launches its 2022 collection tomorrow, Thursday 4 August, it will include two French, or French-ish, still wines for the...
Aug 3, 2022


The Festive Red Wine Guide 2019
My round up of red wines to take you through all kinds of festivities - major, minor and in some cases festivities for years to come....
Dec 2, 2019


WINE OF THE WEEK: Taste the Difference Western Australia Shiraz 2018, Australia
£6.75, Sainsbury's I thought the price must be an error when I saw it in the tasting booklet. Whoever heard of a red from Western...
Nov 7, 2019


WINE OF THE WEEK: Wirra Wirra Church Block 2016, McLaren Vale, Australia
£9.99 (on offer) Waitrose; £10.11 (on offer) Ocado I've just done a captivating and illuminating tasting of 12 wines chosen as...
Sep 19, 2019


A dazzling Penfolds Grange and much more: tasting the 2018 Collection
The launch of Penfolds’ 2014 Grange last month marked the release of the 64th consecutive vintage. I haven't tasted the first, the...
Nov 1, 2018


WINE OF THE WEEK: Zalze Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier 2016, Western Cape, South Africa
£6 on offer, Morrisons and Asda A richly fruity, spicy red that's a good buy even when not on offer but is a bargain at the offer prices...
Aug 9, 2018


WINE OF THE WEEK: Dowie Doole Moxie Sparkling Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia
£20.16, Armit Wines A frothing, deep red, sparkling wine with vibrant black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, Christmas spice and dark...
Dec 7, 2017


WINE OF THE WEEK: Wakefield Estate Shiraz 2014, Clare Valley, Australia
£11.99, or £8.99 in any 6-bottle mix, Majestic Most red wine is drunk too warm, but people are reluctant to put it in the fridge for the...
Jul 28, 2016


Penfolds Grange and Special Bins: a unique vertical tasting in Paris
Hosted by the Australian Ambassador to France at "an intimate dinner", it was billed as "the first ever monumental vertical tasting of...
Apr 19, 2016


Iconic, historic... it must be Penfolds Grange and a Rewards of Patience tasting
Penfolds' fifth Rewards of Patience was a remarkable, unrepeatable tasting over four days in September 2003. It included the complete set...
Apr 5, 2016


WINE OF THE WEEK: Trizanne Signature Shiraz Grenache 2013, Swartland
£9.99, Waitrose With changeable weather and diets swinging this way and that, you may easily want a crisp, reviving wine one minute and...
Jan 28, 2016


WINE OF THE WEEK: Pasico Bush Vine Monastrell Shiraz 2014
£6.50, Sainsbury's A young Spanish red made without any ageing in oak so that the bright, bold flavours are all about fruit and spice -...
Aug 27, 2015
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