Independent Reviews. Considered Indulgences.
We try wines, food, products and experiences to discover what’s genuinely worth the splurge.
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.
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm Review: Fresh, Citrusy, and Instantly Familiar
Where Reverence is earthy and Eleos is gentle, Resurrection Aromatique brings brightness. With its citrus-herbal profile and nude-toned tube, it is the most immediately uplifting of the trio, easy to reach for and hard to dislike.
Thicker Than Water Legacy Shiraz 2021 Review: Respectable but Not Moving
Thicker Than Water Legacy Shiraz 2021 Review: Respectable but Not Moving We approached the Thicker Than Water Legacy Shiraz 2021 with curiosity, expecting a polished McLaren Vale Shiraz with both fruit and depth. It held back early, revealing itself gradually as it opened, with air and food bringing more into view. Appearance Deep ruby at…
(MALIN+GOETZ) Bergamot Hand + Body Wash Review: More Refined Than Fragrant
MALIN+GOETZ Bergamot Hand + Body Wash pairs a comfortable, creamy lather with understated design, but its bergamot fragrance proved surprisingly fleeting.
Zokoko Coffee Pecan Milk Chocolate: A Comfort-Led Take on Café Flavours
The brown-toned packaging sets expectations early. It suggests caramel warmth, dairy richness, and a coffee note that leans creamy rather than roasted or intense.
Honeymoon Vineyard Shiraz 2014 Review: Aged Adelaide Hills Red with Measured Power
We opened the bottle expecting some softening with age, perhaps a shift toward more tertiary notes. What emerged instead was a wine that feels controlled and steady, with its core still intact and its backbone clearly defined.
Vittoria Espresso Magic Coffee Review: Dark, Balanced and More Convincing Black
Vittoria Espresso Magic promises a sweet, syrupy dark roast designed to cut through milk. We found a well-balanced black espresso, but a thinner, more bitter cup with milk that left us less convinced.
Koko Black Mighty Macadamia & Wattleseed: Earthy, Textural, and Unpretentious
A bar that clearly announces its Australian roots. Premium macadamia paste and wattleseed are folded through smooth milk chocolate, promising roasted warmth and texture over sweetness.