The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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An Australian Wine Blog

Thursday, 27 June 2013

"It's Just a Drink"

  13:34    

I notched up my 500th post on this site with a review of a rather fine Merlot/ Cabernet Franc from Tapanappa. On that significant milestone I sat, seemingly paralysed; cursed with a respiratory infection that saw me bedridden for a period, unable and unwilling to taste.   A comment on that post: "but a 95 for a merlot blend, and the price?" and some discussion in the twittersphere about how...

  

  7 Comments

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Alkoomi Jarrah Shiraz 2009

  05:57    

Built to last. Unlike many things these days. Smooth, structured and has this lovely undercurrent of flavour, a citrus/ sour/ tang with good acid pitch. But balanced. Poised, that's possible a better way of putting it. Opens with a rich, chocolatey, oak driven aroma...

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  1 Comment

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Ocean Eight Verve Chardonnay 2009

  21:16    

Opens with pine nuts and hints of corn. Whole bunch pressed, seeing 10-12 months in second use oak. Palate shows lime brulee, quite a full and creamy feel to it.  Mineral line through its core and finishes with a flourish of acid and mineral. 89 - Good Tasted on: Friday 7th June, a Fruit day Source: Gift Price: $38 Alcohol: 12.5% Closure: DIAM Website: http://www.oceaneight.com.au/ Follow...

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  No Comments

The Lane Vineyard Block 14 Shiraz 2012

  21:07    

I was thoroughly enthralled by this wine. The aromatics: alluring; the palate a dark, inky mass built around this graphite streak; finishing fine. Three separate parts, each offering something different, on their own quite brilliant, together something else.  Whole...

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Monday, 10 June 2013

Coombe Farm Chardonnay 2012

  21:15    

Chardonnay from the Yara Valley that uses a 60/40 split of the Mendoza clone - often said to lack a little on the back palate - and the P58 clone, favoured amongst some of the Yarra Chardonnay-heads. Three batches of fruit were all vinified separately, different yeasts...

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  No Comments

Chapel Hill Chardonnay 2012

  21:00    

2011 Bottle Image "The final evolution in our unwooded Chardonnay" came appended to the bottle. The 2011 was the first vintage of the Chapel Hill Foundation Chardonnay that I had tasted, it was the 21st year of production, and it was also the first time in which a small...

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  No Comments

Michael Hall Eden Valley Syrah 2010

  16:43    

From the Naimanya vineyard perched at 520 metres in the Eden Valley. Was picked on the 1st April, de-stemmed,wild yeast ferented and spent 22 days on skins. Opens initially to a smokey-toasty citrus infused profile. Backed up with blue fruits. Quite a pretty intro. Palate...

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  No Comments

Saturday, 8 June 2013

Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2011

  14:06    

The Undercover, so named as McLaren Vale Shiraz was often a key component of celebrated wines in Australia's history. These days it gets slightly more celebrated billing - but this is Pertaringa's nod to those times when it was less so. Initially shows the aromatic signature...

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Taylors Estate Shiraz 2012

  13:55    

Initially quite muted, opens up sufficiently to reveal hints of fruit, a little floral lift and a touch of Marzipan. Entry is smooth, fairly glossy and a little oak showing itself. Well constructed wine, does well at its price point. Pleasurable mouthfeel, a little blackcurrant...

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  No Comments

Thursday, 6 June 2013

Mount Langhi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2009

  21:15    

The 2009 was sourced exclusively from estate fruit grown on the western slopes at Mount Langi Ghiran. Whole bunch inclusion formed a significant portion of the wine's make-up, as it has in subsequent vintages. Interesting, alluring aromatic mix with plum and violets, a...

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  No Comments

Tuesday, 4 June 2013

Symphonia Pinot Grigio 2012

  15:18    

The Symphonia vineyard near Myrrhee in Victoria's King Valley was first planted in 1981. The fruit for this PG has been previously taken by De Bortoli, now Symphonia are looking to forge ahead with wines under their own label and name. This is a slightly different Pinot...

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  No Comments

Monday, 3 June 2013

Toolangi Estate Chardonnay 2010

  11:13    

Toolangi Vineyards is owned by Gary and Julie Hounsell, located in the (unofficial) Yarra sub-region of Dixon's Creek, the Hounsell's approach is to grow the best fruit possible, and then to allow wines to be made per their designs by some of Victoria's leading winemakers....

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Saturday, 1 June 2013

Brash Higgins NDV Nero d'Avola 2011

  14:59    

Artists find inspiration from many sources. The source of inspiration for this Nero d'Avola from McLaren Vale is some 15,000 kilometres away in Sicily, the home of this grape variety and the home of COS wines. COS ferment their top tier wines in 400L clay amphorae sunk...

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  1 Comment

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