Independent Reviews. Considered Indulgences.
We try wines, food, products and experiences to discover what’s genuinely worth the splurge.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2018 Review: Built on Reputation, Proven at the Table
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2018 combines cabernet structure with shiraz richness. We tested it across multiple meals to see whether its reputation holds up at the table.
Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Bath & Shower Gel Review: Freshness with Lasting Presence
Molton Brown’s Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Bath & Shower Gel combines strong aromatic freshness with polished daily usability, delivering one of the more persistent fragrance experiences we’ve tested in a rinse-off body wash.
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz Review: Acidic, Grippy, and Unapologetically Direct
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz 2022 carries a quiet reverence within its uniform red-capsule bottles, an homage to Max Schubert, the original creator of Grange. It arrives with understated visual cues, but a reputation that nudges expectations upward.
Freycinet Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 Review: Tasmanian Structure, But Does It Come Together?
The Freycinet Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 opens with fresh red fruit and gentle structure, but neither time nor food fully resolve the gap between its attractive opening and more structured finish.
The Lane John Crighton Single Vineyard Shiraz Cabernet 2010 Review: A Forgotten Flagship Still Worth Hunting
The Lane no longer produces the John Crighton Single Vineyard Shiraz Cabernet, leaving auction houses and private cellars as the primary source for bottles today.
Elderton Barossa Shiraz 2021: Rich, Round, and Ready Now
Elderton’s 2021 Barossa Shiraz opens with the region’s familiar richness, but there is structure here that keeps it grounded. We opened it on a rainy winter afternoon and it suited the moment perfectly: deep in colour, slow to open, and clearly more comfortable alongside food than on its own.
Penfolds Max’s Pinot Noir 2023 Review: A Subtle Finish to the Max’s Red Series
Penfolds Max’s Pinot Noir 2023 Review: A Subtle Finish to the Max’s Red Series Penfolds Max’s Pinot Noir 2023 leans toward restraint rather than immediate charm. Savoury notes and barrel influence shape the profile early, while fruit plays a quieter role. There is enough grip and warmth to keep it grounded, making it more composed than…
Jasper + Myrtle Ginger & Coconut Dark Chocolate: When the Idea Leads the Flavour
Ginger and coconut suggest spice, crunch, and contrast. Heat against cream. Sweetness against depth. This bar hints at that interplay but keeps it subdued, allowing the dark base to remain the clear focus.