Baby Rayas
Picked up a 2019 Château des Tours Vacqueyras on a tip from Graham at Le Pont, and it might just be the most elegant Rhône wine I’ve had outside of Rayas territory. Made by the same winemaker, Emmanuel Reynaud, this bottle is all strawberries, cherries, and supple leather wrapped in balance and finesse. At $250 AUD, it’s no bargain bin find but compared to Château Rayas, it’s a downright steal. Here's why collectors jump on it, how it stacks up to the more common Brouilly, and why it’s worth getting to know your local wine shop owner.
The Only Way I Make “Bolognese” Now
If you love bolognese but wish it had more fire, this sausage and pepper ragu is your new favorite. Inspired by Not Another Cooking Show and packed with real flavor—from Calabrian chili to Harris Farm’s arrabiata sausage—this weeknight-friendly pasta is the kind of dish you make once and crave forever. It’s spicy, rich, and impossible to stop eating.
Life with the Rolex Sea-Dweller 43 Red Text
A real-world take on living with the Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600. Big, bold, and built like a tank — here’s how this red-letter diver became my go-to daily companion.
When Price Is Forgotten
What started with a pair of Crockett & Jones turned into a years-long journey through handmade shoes, craftsmanship, and the real meaning of quality. This isn’t just about footwear — it’s about value, rituals, and the kind of objects that grow with you.
Sadie the Cleaning Lady (a.k.a. Our Roborock)
We’ve had our Roborock S8 Ultra for years, and it’s mostly brilliant. But when it started leaving the house smelling like damp despair, we found a surprisingly simple fix—thanks, Reddit. Also: meet Sadie the Cleaning Lady.
Organic Wine and Why I Keep Tipping it Out
I want to like organic wine I really do. But after bottle after bottle of tart disappointment, I’m starting to think the category’s more idealism than substance. This is a plea, not a takedown. Show me the bottle that proves me wrong.
Peregrine Pinot Noir 2021 – Still Good, But Outpaced
We finally opened the 2021 Peregrine Pinot Noir—one of Central Otago’s big names—over a lamb meatball arrabiata. It delivered the cherry, leather, and oak we expected, but left us wondering if it still justifies the price. In this review, we break down the tasting notes, share some context from past vintages, and suggest a few regional upstarts that might be the better buy in 2025.
Melbourne Easter Escape
After years of talking about it, we finally made our Melbourne trip happen. Over the Easter break, we leaned into everything we love: great food, proper cocktails, a little wildlife, and a day of wine and gin in the Yarra Valley. No checklists, no stress—just the kind of trip that leaves you full in all the right ways.
Lamb Ragu that wins hearts
This rich, slow-cooked lamb ragu is a household favorite—braised for hours with San Marzano tomatoes, Chianti, and roasted garlic. Serve with pappardelle or gnocchi, and freeze the rest for an easy, soul-warming meal anytime.
The Speedmaster with the Golden Seahorse
Discover why the Omega Speedmaster 1957 50th Anniversary Edition remains a personal favorite. A rare dial, golden seahorse, and subtle design make this under-the-radar Speedmaster a true collector's piece.
Watches & Wonders 2025
Discover the standout hits, forgettable misses, and a few outright disasters from Watches & Wonders 2025. An honest take on Rolex, Patek, AP, Hublot, and more—straight from a collector’s perspective.
Brokenwood Indigo Pinot Noir 2023
Discover why the 2023 Brokenwood Indigo Pinot Noir is a must-try cool-climate red from Beechworth. Tasting notes, cellaring tips, and why it’s worth every bit of its sub-$40 price.
Six Months with the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II
After six months of shooting motorsport, wildlife, and street with the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, here’s how it performs in the real world. Sharpness, autofocus, bokeh—and the trade-offs with a 2x teleconverter.
A weekend in the Hunter Valley
We spent a weekend in the Hunter Valley celebrating a friend’s anniversary—cocktails, vineyard stops, a fine dining hit (and miss), plus a few unexpected highlights. From buttery Chardonnay to geese on the loose, here’s what stood out, what fell flat, and why the Hunter still feels a step behind Barossa and Central Otago.
Melbourne Formula 1 2025
Join us trackside at the 2025 Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix—an unforgettable weekend of wild weather, roaring GT3 Porsches, Oscar Piastri heartbreak, and top-notch Melbourne food spots. A long overdue trip, five years in the making.
Wagyu Beef Tallow
In my last post I shared my smokerless brisket recipe which has a significant by product - beef fat trimmings. One small step away from being Beef Tallow, the ultimate substitute for cooking oil. Now you don't have to just use fat trimmings from brisket you can throw all your beef fat together in the freezer and render all at once.
200 hour smokerless Brisket
Love smoked brisket but don’t have a smoker? This 200-hour sous vide brisket recipe delivers unbelievably tender, flavourful meat with a perfect bark—without needing a smoker. Learn the best techniques, equipment, and ingredients to master this unique method.
Perfecting the Negroni
Over the last three years I’ve been on the hunt to produce the perfect Negroni. One of my favourite cocktails for a long time, it’s the perfect example of balance - sweet and bitter with a solid undercurrent of umami.
King of cuts - Cote de Boeuf
Cote de Boeuf, Ribeye or Cowboy steaks come from the rib primal, the top end of the rib section shown below. Prized for high marbling, rich flavour and tenderness, these steaks are a particular favourite in my household.