It seems a bit ironic to Ken Gargett that, as the world goes into an unprecedented lockdown to deal with the novel coronavirus pandemic, he reviews a wine, the Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2014, which celebrates one of the most peripatetic members of the wine industry. Yet here we are.
New Zealand native Steve Smith has partnered with Brian Sheth to create a new operation: Smith & Sheth Cru. Ken Gargett believes this young winery co-founded by Smith, a highly decorated and experienced winemaker, could well take its place among the world’s exciting emerging wineries.
Ken Gargett thoroughly reviews the rare Hoyo de Monterrey Escogido Cuban cigars right here. They may be very hard to find at the moment, but when they do hit the shelves everywhere they are definitely worth your interest. See what else he says.
Anyone who expresses even so much as a fleeting interest in great wine will soon come across Krug, for many the greatest champagne of all. And there are champagne lovers and then there are devotees of Krug: Krugists. Ken Gargett doubts that any other champagne, any wine, has a word to designate their adoring fans. Here he explains why.
If anyone ever questions rums as a sipping spirit, Ken Gargett directs them to Angostura’s Cask Collection and they never again doubt. For those who enjoy this style, he thinks that Angostura will very quickly become a go-to choice for a sipping rum. In this article Ken delves into the entire delicious Angostura collection, too.
Clare Valley winemaker Jim Barry has teamed up with one of the most famous German producers, Dr. Loosen, to form a new joint venture called LoosenBarry. It currently offers two blends of Rieslings: one using Mosel grapes but made in the Australian style, while the other Riesling comes from Clare Valley grapes, but made in the German style. And the results are in!
Zacapa was one of the first rums ever to convince Ken Gargett that there was serious life in the category outside the ubiquitous “Bundy.” He doesn’t think that it will be long before people think of the best rums alongside other premium spirits, and Zacapa is one of the foremost proponents of this movement.
Glenfiddich Grand Cru is a malt that is finely crafted and utterly superb according to Ken Gargett. Whether it offers value for money is up to each individual, but he thinks that there is no question that it’s a really lovely whisky with some unexpected notes.
Nothing happens quickly in the whisky industry, but Ken Gargett thinks that the future is looking bright for Glenglassaugh and it should take its place among the elite producers. And then there’s that superlative malt from 1965 that Ken recommends “to be sipped on bended knee.”
If Ken Gargett were to tell you that he is looking at one of the great champagnes, that wouldn’t really narrow it down for you. If he said it was a blanc de blancs then you’d be able to get closer. And if he said it had become a cult favorite in recent years, you might think he is talking about Selosse, Agrapart, Collin, or one of the other emerging growers. The champagne he puts under the microscope today is actually from small(ish) grower Pierre Peters and it is the flagship, Les Chétillons. Find out what he thinks about it here!