If you’re like me and haven’t had the greatest experience then I can highly recommend Campbell’s The Barkley… this is a totally different proposition! It feels like a proper wine, if that makes sense at all. Super expressive nose of dark fruits and savoury spice, big but not “wow here comes a headache” big. On the palate it is rich, opulent, and elegant with a velvety texture. Plenty of ripe dark fruits, blackberries and black cherry, followed by graphite-like, leathery, liquorice savoury layers. One for the cellar, but also very fun now!

 What’re your thoughts on Durif? If you’re like me and

Sometimes it’s good to treat yourself and the Standish Wine Co, The Standish 2016, does a phenomenal job. This Shiraz is made from fruit farmed by the Laycock family in the Greenock sub-region of the Barossa Valley. Dan has worked closely with this great vineyard since 2005, with previous releases of  Standish 'Andelmonde’ and ‘Borne Bollene’ coming from this site. Pure pedigree and coupled with his six generations of Barossan heritage means he certainly knows how to make exceptional wines. Thanks Dan! 🍷 🍷 🍷 ​

 Sometimes it’s good to treat yourself and the Standish Wine

What’s not to like about a cheeky drop to start the week! La Maline 2015, a Barossa Shiraz filled with fruit from the Eden Valley. Most of which is 75+ years old. Monumental blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. There’s a real depth here, awesome. Beyond the fruit it sappy, stalky, and herbal from the whole bunch. Complexity in buckets. A stunning Barossan! 🍷

Tech notes: All fruit was hand harvested and cooled overnight. Around 30-40% of bunches were retained; fermentation took place in small open stainless steel and wooden fermenters, with indigenous yeasts. Approximately 1 % pressed Viognier marc was added during fermentation. The wine was raised on light lees in a selection of thick staved 600 litre demi muids, and some barriques; unfined, and bottled without filtration. 🍷 ​

 What’s not to like about a cheeky drop to start the week!

Standish Wine Co, the Relic, 2016... Monumental. Serious contender for Red of the year. ⁠

Firstly the colour ridiculous. The purplest of purple with a depth and vibrancy that's off the scale. Unashamedly full bodied, but fresh. Beautiful blueberries, spicy characters, in the smoothest of smooth packages with the tannins and acidity there holding it together. Awesomely made. Buy it, try to cellar if you can and if not rest assured either way you'll probably be smiling for a week.

 Standish Wine Co, the Relic, 2016... Monumental. Serious

By Farr can do almost no wrong in my book and having recently visited the Mornington Peninsular I thought I should pick up a Farr from the region. Philippa Farr’s 2017 Pinot Noir ought to do the trick and with vintages completed at Bellvale, Bouzeron, Domaine Dujac, By Farr and Purple Hen I’m hoping for a great drop. If you’ve tried it let me know what you think. I’ll let you know either way 🤗🍷🙌

 By Farr can do almost no wrong in my book and having

Welcome the the cellar Sami Odi 2019. You’re in good company 👏🏼🍷🙏🏼

 Welcome the the cellar Sami Odi 2019. You’re in good

Cracking way to start the week. Cheeky little

 Mataro / Grenache / Shiraz (​54/28/22% blend) providing heaps of pretty fruit and floral notes from the Grenache, deep richness from the Shiraz and a robustness from the Mataro. Loving the berry fruit acidity, supporting those pretty floral notes, raspberry creeping through early and the grippy ⁠tannins providing great texture to the finish. ⁠-

Also, just a little side note... considering the pedigree of the winemakers (ex-Grant Burge) and their experience with some true classic Barossa GMSs it's no surprise that this is a quality drop. You’d be hard pushed to find much better at this price point for sure. Save your time and give this a go it’s a real crowd pleaser!! -

 Cracking way to start the week. Cheeky little

If you could pick one to try, which would it be? Lamella, Relic, Schubert Theorum, or The Standish?

In my opinion these Standish Wine Co wines are amongst the best Australian examples of Shiraz I’ve been lucky enough to stumble across in recent years. With 4 different expressions covering Eden Valley / Marananga / Greenock and a Shiraz Viognier, the only challenge is picking which one to drink!

 If you could pick one to try, which would it be? Lamella

Rockford’s iconic Basket Press Shiraz, 375mls of pure Barossa class. I’m a big fan of the cheeky 375ml bottle. They’re the perfect size for a decent taste, mature slightly faster, and don’t (usually) leaving your head pounding the following day. What’s not to like! Especially when it’s a Rockford 🍷 thoughts? 🍷 ​

 Rockford’s iconic Basket Press Shiraz, 375mls of pure

Ticks every box! Stunning Barossan Syrah from

. So concentrated with beautiful length. What a perfect way to wrap up a week! Easily one of my favorite wines this year! 🍷 ​

 Ticks every box! Stunning Barossan Syrah from

I love a good nose around a quality bottle shop, especially when you find gems like this. Keller Frauenberg 2014 is certainly not a regular find in Sydney so this is coming home with me. Notes soon! 🍷 ​

 I love a good nose around a quality bottle shop, especially

What an absolute stunner! Mewstone Top Block Pinot Noir 2016, Magnum 12 of 25. Such depth of colour, and a nose that’s simply stunning. I could barely put the glass down! On the palate, it’s plush, no messing, awesome blue fruits and savoriness in a mouthwateringly beautiful package. I really think this is one of my favorite Pinots to date. In short, stunning. 🍷

 What an absolute stunner! Mewstone Top Block Pinot Noir

Standish Lamella Shiraz 2017 joining the 15 & 16 sleeping in the cellar. Arguably my most anticipated release of the year. What’s yours? 🍷

This is Eden Valley Shiraz in full flight.

Grown by the Angas family on Hutton Vale Farm, a place their family has tended for now seven generations, Dan Standish has taken their fruit to a new stratosphere.

The Lamella is a transcendent Shiraz. An imperious wine of incredible density and purity, a feeling of elegance maintained through careful and sensitive winemaking. If you have never had your mind blown by an Eden Valley Shiraz, this may be the wine to do it.

A wine that could stand toe-to-toe with any of the most iconic names in Australian Shiraz, this is about as good as Shiraz gets from this part of the world. 🍷 ​

 Standish Lamella Shiraz 2017 joining the 15 & 16 sleeping

One of the best examples of Yarra Valley, cool climate, Cabernet Sauvignon I’ve had in a bloody long time! -

Made only in standout vintages Rob Dolan’s signature series are exceptional wines. This 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon has a nose of rich cassis, exotic spices, leather and just a touch of oak. Very balanced and expansive on the palate. Super elegant with dark fruit flavours intermingled with exotic spices, chewy tannin and toasty oak toward the finish. Cool climate Cabernet doing the business. There’s no substitute for experience, and Rob has buckets of it. Stunning!

 One of the best examples of Yarra Valley, cool climate

Greystone Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s South Island... hmm, I should drink more from

NZ! Bright ruby and youthful looking in the glass. The nose is complex with layers of red berries and black cherry, exotic spices and earthy savoury notes. The palate is impressive, verging on full bodied and packed with flavour. Ripe red fruits, blackberries, mulberries all nicely balanced with dried herbs and again the earthy notes adding complexity. Great tannins and balanced acidity all contribute to the structure and impressive length. Note to self... drink more NZ wine.

 Greystone Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s South Island

Is this a benchmark for Aussie Pinot Noir? I hear, and read, it on an ongoing basis, and as it’s the one wine from the Farr range I’m yet to try (shockingly) I’m keen to get your thoughts! Either way, i can’t wait to try it. The Farr family make exceptional wines!

 Is this a benchmark for Aussie Pinot Noir? I hear, and

The perfect way to end the day. Simple satisfaction🍷

 The perfect way to end the day. Simple satisfaction🍷 ​​

Penfolds have their displays down pat. Simple and stylish... wine rack goals! I’m gathering ideas for my home cellar, suggestions please! 🍷

 Penfolds have their displays down pat. Simple and

What was the last wine that surprised you? -

My nomination is this Barossa Boy Little Helper GSM which, despite not being a huge GSM fan, is absolutely smashable. It’s packed with a core red fruits, dark berries, and a touch of dried herbs on the nose. Super lush on the palate with plenty of texture as the fruit comes to the fore before the savoury earthy and oaky notes wrap it up. I’d happily wrap my chops around this any time!

 What was the last wine that surprised you? - My nomination

Boutique and beautiful! Sholto Syrah 2018, a recent discovery of mine and a wine to keep your eyes peeled for if you’re into wine from the Canberra region, or Syrah in general. Dark plum, almost raisin in colour. Plums, ripe blackberry, white pepper and spices on the nose, perhaps a touch of Viognier adding floral notes. The palate is beautifully textural and fruit driven at first. Blackcurrant and plums lead on to savoury leather and pepper spice notes towards the finish. Moreish sums it up perfectly.

 Boutique and beautiful! Sholto Syrah 2018, a recent

Nothing says half way to the weekend like wine Wednesday! And, considering it’s National Drink Wine Day I’ve opted for old school with this big, unapologetically, quintessentially Barossa Shiraz by Laughing Jack Wines and I’m pretty happy with that decision it must be said.

Super concentrated dark fruit flavours on the nose with blackberry, mulberry, and plums all vying for the top spot, supported by savoury oak and spice notes. Full bodied on the palate with those powerful dark fruit flavours making way for tarry, rich cocoa characters and fine grippy tannins. Finishes long. If someone asked for a classic Barossa Shiraz I’d be reaching for this!

 Nothing says half way to the weekend like wine Wednesday!

Quin Wines Barossa Grenache… what a wine! One of the best examples of Grenache I’ve tried in recent memory. 90 year old vines, part whole bunch, leading to a savoury, dried-raspberry, potpourri infused nose. The palate is filled with red fruit, crunchy, medium bodied, and fine. There’s a touch of darker pomegranate flavour there too, helping to lift the fruit above the spicy, woody notes. Aussie Grenache is bloody great!

 Quin Wines Barossa Grenache… what a wine! One of the best

I thought it was about time this beaut from

made its debut. Closed, coiled, at first. But... 4 hours in the decanter and this was singing. Mega complex and substantial Shiraz with amazing structure. Beautiful fruit, so deep. Spicy, peppery goodness with soft luxurious tannins and awesome acidity. Exceptional! 🍷 ​

 I thought it was about time this beaut from

The Old Block, the top dog of the St Hallett range has always been a favorite of mine. No disappointment here, I’m pleased to report. -

Dark cherry, cola, plums and soft oak on the nose. Really very silken and svelte. Powerful and controlled on the palate, very balanced and harmonious. Cherry cola meets plums and prunes, gentle clove, anise going on here as well. It’s beautifully concentrated and finishes very long. It’s a quality wine, very very nice.

 The Old Block, the top dog of the St Hallett range has

Can you guess the producer and variety? It’s an easy one 😉🍷🤔

 Can you guess the producer and variety? It’s an easy one

Warming up in the winter sun with a little help from this beaut and continuing my love affair with Spinifex Wines. Not much more to say really... cheers!

 Warming up in the winter sun with a little help from this

Erm... so this may just be my “want most” wine of 2019. The 10 acre

Astralis Vineyard is a source of "as good as you can get" Shiraz/Syrah in Australia, maybe even the world... big statement I know. The vines were first planted in 1920 with 19th century colonial vine-stock derived from Chateau Reynella. Greatness. This time, sadly, it stayed on the shelf. If you’ve tried it let me know what it’s like!! 🍷 ​

 Erm... so this may just be my “want most” wine of 2019. The

Standish The Standish 16. Wow... hats off here folks. Everything from grilled meats, herbaceous notes, and blue / black fruits. Ridiculous! -

 Oracle Shiraz 14. Could’ve swore it was Torbreck Descendant. Exotic spices and French oak coming through. Easily the most understated wine of the night, but it brimmed with complexity. Kept us guessing and fooled us all! -

The Struie 13. So much life left here. Shows the quality Torbreck have available as it held it’s place at this illustrious line up. Well played. 🍷 ​

 Shiraz night round up with @eamesco and

Well this was an absolute treat and won’t be forgotten for a while! Sami-Odi HD 2018 and Little Wine No.9 tasted and as expected they’re about as close to drinking perfection as you get (for me). There’s a magic to these wines highlighted by the way they evolve right before your eyes, constantly revealing new dimensions and layers of flavour. In a word, spellbinding! -

 Well this was an absolute treat and won’t be forgotten for

Burgundy glasses. They say they’re produced following a tradition of using only the most highly skilled glass-blowers ​which results in the fineness of each glass and echoing the delicate virtuosity of the great Venetian glass artists of the Renaissance. Beautiful in every which way and especially on a sunny winter day! 🍷 ​

 Probably my best purchase of the year, @zaltify Burgundy

So this is why I try to avoid wine shops as much as possible... Hunter Valley Royalty! -