100 points)

I have to admit a little bias, this wine is one of my absolute 'go to' favourites and has been for about the last 5 years. Giant Steps make a number of single vineyard pinot noir releases but for me it has always been the AppleJack Vineyard that delivered a perfect palate of fruit,…

ByCrispyOctober 16, 2023

DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir DRINK > WINE

WINE > D.M.L Reserve Mornington Peninsula Noir 2021 (94/100 Points)

DML VIN is a relative newcomer to making Australian Pinot Noir with the first vintage released in 2019 but they are already creating some really special wine and it is no surprise that both critics and pinot fans are taking notice and buying. The back story to DML VIN is that AF Premiership player Jordon…

ByCrispyOctober 13, 2023

DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir DRINK > WINE

WINE > Bass Phillip “Crown Prince” 2016 (95/100 points)

The "Crown Prince" is considered an entry level wine to the world of Bass Phillip Wines it is often poured by the glass at restaurants and some people don't like that it can be quite cloudy. But I love it and having just acquired some more of the 2016 release I thought it definitely…

ByCrispyOctober 13, 2023

DRINK > WINE > Chardonnay DRINK > WINE

WINE > Domaine Naturaliste ‘Artus’ Chardonnay 2021 (95/100 points)

Bruce Dukes has been making wine in Margaret River, WA for over 30 years and he knows a thing or two about quality chardonnay. Duke’s career started with a degree in Agronomy (the science of soil management and crop production) from the University of Western Australia and then a masters degree in Viticulture and…

ByCrispySeptember 20, 2023

EAT > EAT > ROME

EAT > Per Me, Rome (19/20)

Chef Giulio Terrinoni started his career in his home town of Fiuggi (about an hours drive to the east of Rome), his family owned a restaurant and he grew up around food and service. He moved to Rome and quickly built a career working in great restaurants learning from different chefs. Chef…

ByCrispySeptember 5, 2023

EAT > EAT > TOKYO

EAT > J U L I A Omakase, Tokyo (18/20)

Tokyo is has the most Michelin starred restaurants in the world, it is no wonder that in this incredible city fine food is expressed in so many ways and so there are so many choices. The Michelin guide lists 461 fine dining restaurants in Tokyo of those listed 199 have either 1, 2 or…

ByCrispySeptember 5, 2023

EAT > MELBOURNE EAT >

EAT > Bellota Wine Bar & Food (18/20)

Last week I was back eating in one of my very favourite restaurants and I realised that it was also one of the first restaurant reviews written for Almanak, so I thought it needed an update. Needless to say we had another outstanding meal and brilliant wine. In full disclosure Bellota used to be…

ByCrispySeptember 1, 2023

DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir DRINK > WINE

WINE > Domaine Tollot-Beaut Chorey-Les-Beaune Protégée 2018 (93/100 points)

I am very fond of the flavour profile found in Burgundy wines made from grapes grown in Beaune, and while this wine is described by the maker as a "classic rustic red wine" I think it deserves more love and recognition because it is a lot better than that. THE WINERY The Tollot family have…

ByCrispyAugust 30, 2023

DRINK > WINE > Pinot Noir DRINK > WINE

WINE > Yeringberg – Pinot Noir 2019 (93/100 points)

THE WINERY Yeringberg and the de Pury family are original pioneers of wine making in the Yarra Valley of Victoria. The original vineyard was established in 1863, though many of the grapes were pulled out with vines replanted in the 1970s. In 1969 Guill and Katherine de Pury (already the 3rd…

ByCrispyAugust 28, 2023

DESIGN

TRAVEL > Almanak Guide to Siracusa, Sicily

CONTENTS Getting There Where to Eat Where to Drink Where to Sleep Where to Swim Click to Google Map list The Almanak Guide to Syracuse is now available in print from the blurb store print its just $13 USD plus shipping for 40 pages of full colour - click here. When you are…

ByCrispyAugust 25, 2023

Crispy

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