Expectations exceed, considerably! Curtis Family Vineyard’s Martins Vineyard Shiraz 2016 is a beaut... serious quality on show here. -

Blackberries and plums, hints of blueberry combined with anise and a touch of vanilla. Fresh, definitely in no way dense or jammy, there’s a real elegance here. The body is full, palate rich, texture perfect, and the fruit shines. Blackberry, plums, dark chocolate richness that’s silky and smooth. There’s oak, American, but it’s extremely well integrated giving the slightest vanilla notes, more complexity than expected, and super velvety tannins. What a ripper!

 Expectations exceed, considerably! Curtis Family Vineyard’s

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

Dowie Doole BFG, Big Friendly Grenache perhaps, and big it certainly is. The nose shows the trademark aromas of raspberries, red candies, rich strawberry compote, not overly sweet with a dried herb note to finish. On the palate it’s lush and smooth with a big hit of red berries up front providing great texture and vibrancy. As the fruit fades there are lovely residual notes of earthy minerality coupled with fine tannin providing nice length. Elegant. Great for a Tuesday! -⁠

 Dowie Doole BFG, Big Friendly Grenache perhaps, and big it

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

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

On the scale of iconic vineyards and producers this Mount Pleasant 1880 Old Hill is in the Pantheon of great Australian wines. Despite this status it amazes me that between 1965 and 2013 this incredibly old vineyard was blended with other wines in the range. Utterly mind-boggling when you think about it. Either way, since 2013 this single site expression of Hunter Shiraz has been a must have of mine. There’s not much, in my opinion, that can top a top-notch Hunter Shiraz in full swing. It’s just a bit of me.

 On the scale of iconic vineyards and producers this Mount

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

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!

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

Some pretty serious wines found their way into the cellar today. Three Aussie “best of breeds” and this bucket list Super Tuscan! I’d of thought it’ll be a few years before these come out again... fingers crossed!

 Some pretty serious wines found their way into the cellar

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

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

 So this is why I try to avoid wine shops as much as

Rest in Peace Mr. Bourdain. You could craft an amazing narrative with food as your only muse ·

 Rest in Peace Mr. Bourdain. You could craft an amazing

Shingleback Davey Estate Reserve Shiraz 2015

Always check the Specials area of your Liquor Merchant.

My bargain buy of year (full stop) Complete luck. This is normally over $20 and nothing wrong it it, just two of the 2015 vintages left and making room for other/new stock. So they ended in the specials bin. Marked down to $6.34. Brilliant. I'm not scoring or actually grading this wine as it was completely unfair due to the price, but it was good. Needs time in the decanter to open up, but once it does you get full body McLaren Vale shiraz. Spice and dark fruit flavour. I would buy it at $20.

So CHECK YOUR SPECIALS you never know what you find. (I did buy a couple of other wines that varied from $6 to $11. One so far was below average, but this was good. So I'm running at 50% at the moment. I'll let you know the result of the others) ...simple...

 Shingleback Davey Estate Reserve Shiraz 2015 Always check

Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Riesling 2019

The best Riesling I’ve have had this decade.

Nah seriously, it’s a great wine and truly one the best I’ve had in a while. $24 is ridiculous value for what you get. Dry, tight and super tasting. Lime is at the forefront and the length lasts as long as a ✈️ from Bris Vegas to Adelaide and an Uber to the Eden Valley. Book me in

 Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Riesling 2019 Eden Valley

Erdener Bußlay is the third vineyard connected to the village of Erden in the central part of Mosel.

Located on the same side of the Mosel River ad Erden, it’s facing the more famous Erdener Treppchen and Erdener Prälat.

Compared to Treppchen, Bußlay often deliver more fullbodied and less elegant Rieslings. Yet, they are very long living and have huge aging potential offering more structured and heavy wines.

Perfect color for a vintage white👌🏼

The nose is heavy and complex with exotic fruits like mango, canned pineapple, honeydew melon and peach. Flowers, beeswax and tertiary notes of old eraser and a touch of gasoline bring a classic vintage-Mosel style to the aroma.

The palate is round and soft (not much acidity left) with great depth. Fresh mango, papya, candied yellow/white fruits, ginger and honeycomb in a lovely relationship - and an endless finish of lemoncurd.

This winery keeps delivering high class with their matured vintages.

 ⭐️88/100⭐️ Weingut Bernhard Jakoby Erdener Bußlay Riesling

Puligny-Montrachet “Les Reuchaux”, 2008

📍Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte d’Or, Bourgogne, France🇫🇷

This family winery was founded in 1890, and until 2005 the domaine consisted of only two hectares situated in two grands crus:  Charmes-Chambertin and Bonnes-Mares.

But in 2006, the domaine increased its size with the addition of 9 hectares of vineyards in Côte d’Or with 50 different small plots.

They also buy organic high quality grapes for a bigger portfolio of different top areas in Bourgogne.

The philosophies include a minimal use of organic fertilizer, naturally limited low yield (most of the domaine’s vines are very old) combined with extra pruning, one-layer flat bins for harvesting and a general focus on the environment and biodiversity.

This wine is naturally fermented with indigonous yeasts.

It’s aged 17 month (12 months on the lees) in 66% new oak, with regular batonnage (stirring of the lees).

The vineyard of Les Reuchaux is located just north from the town.

The aromas are mature and powerful offering slightly oxidized apple, apricot, light raisin, caramel, hay, camphor, fresh honey, beeswax and wood with a clean minerality - wet stone and chalk.

The palate is rich with a marked acidity, a touch of tannin and a sick minerality. Quince, rye bread, lemon zest and hazelnut on the tongue. Superb finish with spicy vanilla and salt.

 ⭐️91/100⭐️ Domaine Pierre Naigeon Puligny-Montrachet “Les

 polenta with smoked sharp provolone, mushrooms, kale and soft boiled eggs.

 Homemade #sundaybrunch  polenta with smoked sharp

Steel cut Irish oats, plant based apple/maple sausages and farmer delivered eggs

 Winter wonderland homemade brunch Steel cut Irish oats

Tagliolini or tajarin is a Traditional Piemonte fresh pasta made with egg yolks. The thin, rich ribbons embrace the delicate shavings of intense white Alba truffle perfectly

 Tagliolini or tajarin is a Traditional Piemonte fresh pasta

Today’s menu: fresh eggs delivered by the farmer himself, smokey tempeh and protein packed whole grain pancakes 🥞 🥚

 Today’s menu: fresh eggs delivered by the farmer himself

Pasta, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, pecorino with chipotle coated faux beef

 Hearty Sunday supper Pasta, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms

A fantastic experience last night at the soft opening of the new

 restaurant. True farm to table, locally sourced and foraged, organic dishes from chef Ryan McLaughlin.

House made pasta with Calabrian chilli, Parmesan and breadcrumbs along with Roasted Cauliflower, polenta, kale, roasted peppers and preserved lemon relish.

House made ricotta toast with spring peas and veggies in three takes board, tumeric parsnips and cultured butter out of this world.

__99 let me sneak at look at his wine list; Prié Blanc, Coda di Volpe, Pineau d’Aunis, Piedirosso and Picotendro just to name a few gems 🤩

 A fantastic experience last night at the soft opening of

Dinner tonight. (Roasted & added to fresh pecorino, fontina and pasta)