 …simple… #margaretriver #coonawarra #wine #huntervalley

If you get a wine for half price, does it make it taste better?

What if the wine was already great tasting, then you get it for half price the second time you buy it, does make it taste even better?

If a grape falls in a vineyard and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

If you are going to ponder these questions, then this is the wine to drink while ‘pondering’.

Rating: B+ but I think it will develop into a A after a few years in the cellar

Cellar: Tasting notes outline a 20 year potential

Tasting: Dark spicy blend that has a fine ending. Mushroom and prosciutto would be the perfect food description.

Recommendation: I’d buy six as a great example of a wine that will mature over quite a few years

Price: I would pay RRP of $70 and still be very happy with the purchase

Sometimes you have to trust your ‘gut’ and press that ‘buy now’ button.

 d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz

Sometimes you win lotto and grab an absolute bargain. I bought this off a “little” online wine merchant on a pre-release secret deal. I bought the wine on special without knowing the actual wine or winery. You get hints of the producer and an outline of the variety and location but that’s it. I took a punt. They never send a bad wine.

So Mother f¥€£er (hint) when this arrived I lost my mind. A beautiful

Without question I love Mitolo wines and have had plenty of their wines over the years. None have ever disappointed.

But this is my first of their GAM Shiraz. GAM, you ask? Instantly I see the three initials on the front and automatically think it is a blend of some description but soon realise it is named after Frank’s Mitolo three children, Gemma, Alex and Marco. Hence the GAM. Brilliant and its 100% Shiraz.

This is that classic Shiraz with the McLaren Vale finesse. All the usual Jammy flavours with hints of mint, licorice and hardwood timber. Yes that old beautiful timber smell. Beautifully structured and a pleasure to drink. Will only get better over the years. This is that type of wine where you buy a few and enjoy them as the years go past...simple...

  Although I bought this myself and have no links with either (but I would love to...)

 Mitolo G.A.M. Shiraz 2017 Rating: A- Price: $60

Rating: Buy 🍷  Holm Oak ‘The Protégé’ Pinot Noir from

Beautiful little Pinot. Light and fresh with a smooth finish. I recently got broken-hearted with two below average pinots but the love is back with this one. I bought this for $25 but just saw it on

 for $20 (not a paid promotion but wish I could get one. Hint hint....) Anyway Great wine. Definitely will buy again...simple...