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A Landmark Vintage: 2023 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia, featured
, Jan 2026
Margaret River is a miraculous region where both Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon can reach great heights. However, in 2023, the cool, long and particularly dry growing season was especially kind to the local Cabernet Sauvignon, creating the best vintage in recent memory. These wines display superb purity, effortless balance, unforced generosity of flavour and firm structure. The best of them will also age beautifully. Two thousand twenty-three is a genuine unicorn vintage for Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon.
Australian Syrah: The Quest for Refinement
Australia, featured
, Jan 2026
The common perception of Australian Syrah revolves around the classic full-bodied, full-flavoured expressions from warmer regions. Yet more terroir-driven styles have become increasingly common over the last two decades, especially in cooler areas. terroir-driven styles have become increasingly common over the last two decades. From perfumed and spicy coastal expressions to more savoury, brooding examples found in continental climates, these wines represent impressive diversity. The best of them are truly remarkable.
Barossa and Clare Valley: The Champion and the Contender
Australia, featured
, Aug 2025
The Barossa Valley has long held historic bragging rights in South Australia as the state’s most famous wine region. However, the sand is shifting, brought about by the growing confidence among Clare’s Valley winemakers to pursue a unique regional style. Barossa and Clare Valley are now both asserting themselves as fine wine regions deserving of serious attention.
Cellar Favorite: 2011 Penfolds Chardonnay Yattarna
Australia, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jul 2025
Peter Gago, Penfolds’ chief winemaker, recently visited London to showcase Penfolds’ new releases. One mature bottle made an impression.
The Second Coming of Australian Chardonnay
chardonnay, Australia, featured
, Jun 2025
Australian Chardonnay is now well and truly in the premier league. The best wines show genuine sophistication thanks to intuitive, thoughtful winemaking and the investment in locating and developing optimal sites. This is not confined to a single place—each region, from Tasmania and Adelaide Hills to Margaret River and Victoria’s cool-climate pockets, brings its own take on the modern style, driven by clones, climate and terroir. The only question now is how high Australian Chardonnay will go and whether it will claim its place as a genuine international leader.
McLaren Vale: Pushing the Envelope of Refinement
Australia, featured
, Apr 2025
There are few better places in Australia to discover cutting-edge wines than McLaren Vale. Formerly a key home for large-scale commercial winemaking, McLaren Vale has transformed into a base for artisanal, terroir-driven winemakers with an increasing focus on single-vineyard wines of distinction. The 2022 vintage in particular offers insights into an exciting future.
Cellar Favorite: A Landmark Vintage – Henschke 2021
Australia Featured, Australia, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Apr 2025
Henschke is one of the most historic wineries in Australia, known for unforced wines that showcase their various terroirs. The annual Henschke release is a true vintage snapshot of Eden Valley.
Behind the Red Curtain: Penfolds Special Bins from the Vault
Australia Featured, Australia, featured
, Mar 2025
Winemaker trials are key to the pursuit of exceptional wine. Small batches can allow creativity to flourish. The genesis of truly fine wine at Penfolds began in the 1940s with a program of wines that became known as Special Bins. A rare tasting of Penfolds Special Bins stretching back to the 1950s offered a glimpse deep into the historic past and showcased modern Australian benchmarks.
Cellar Favorite: Breaking the Rules – La Chapelle Grange
France, Australia, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, featured
, Feb 2025
Two icons of the old and new world come together in this inaugural blend, certain to spark discussion. While the two wines merge with surprising harmony, the true conversation starter isn’t their quality—it’s the bold and unconventional way they were crafted.
North East Victoria: Full of Surprises
Australia, featured
, Feb 2025
There is no better illustration of Australian wine diversity than a tour through North East Victoria. Stretching from the elevated Alpine Valleys to the warmer environs along the Murray River, breathtaking Chardonnays coexist with iconic fortified wines, providing both a glimpse of the past and an exciting future.