June 2014 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Monday, 30 June 2014

Ferngrove King Malbec 2011

10:13 Stu.

Vibrant in the glass, leaping out, encouraging you in. Violets, lavender, blackberry compote. An alluring aromatic array. Underneath that lies a savoury edge, a little earth and dried grass. Has Malbec's graphite edge - as I see it - black fruit bordering and backed...

2011 / Frankland River / Malbec

Sunday, 29 June 2014

Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz 2009

08:13 Stu.

A wine with plenty in the tank and one that seems to rise and grow in stature in front of your very eyes. Earthen, chocolate oak, black fruit and perhaps a suggestion of some savoury notes pulling through by way of a touch of black olive skin. Powdery tannin, perky...

2009 / Hunter Valley / Shiraz

Thursday, 26 June 2014

Printhie MCC Riesling 2013

11:57 Stu.

No, nothing to do with the venerable Marylebone Cricket Club, instead here MCC references the Mount Canobolas Collection, a tier of the Printhie wines' portfolio, effectively a reserve range. Pale gold with a lime tinge. Apple, blossom, mandarin - backed up with some bath...

2013 / Orange / riesling

Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Ferngrove Symbols Cabernet Merlot 2011

13:24 Stu.

Attractively packaged, solid contents, delivers well at its price-point. Bay, tapenade, touch of pencil shavings - essentially savoury with a mere suggestion of underlying black fruit. A little graphite quality, grainy tannin, little fruit presence on the palate. Touch...

2011 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot

Angullong Fossil Hill Tempranillo 2012

12:24 Stu.

Quite an attractive wine with mocha, blue fruits, florals on intro. Fairly acidic, light and juicy, citrus and cranberry acidity. Interesting for a variety that isn't necessarily known for its acidity. That said, it was an enjoyable to consume, and I would be inclined...

2012 / Central Ranges / Orange / Tempranillo

Tuesday, 24 June 2014

Nanny Goat Vineyard Super Nanny Pinot Noir 2013

12:49 Stu.

Plenty of forward black fruit on offer here - if that's your 'thing' you'll love this. That fruit is supplemented with a touch of spice and the palate sees more of the same with the addition of a fair rub of tannin. It's a fair mouthful of flavour and the aroma and palate...

2013 / Central Otago / pinot noir

Lerida Estate Cullerin Pinot Noir 2013

12:40 Stu.

Odd releases from Lerida Estate, odd in that their Chardonnay was anaemic and treading thinly at a mere 11%, whereas this Pinot Noir thunders in at just a touch under 15%. Cherry, mulberry and some cedary oak and spice. Full figured, scorched earth spice - reasonable length....

2013 / Canberra District / pinot noir

Lerida Estate Lake George Pinot Noir 2011

12:31 Stu.

Feels dilute, like weak blackcurrant cordial. Aromatics beyond that are somewhat muted - denying Pinot Noir its voice if you like. Dry, fine tannin - little flavour to boast of here. What you do get it some decent length, spice derived - but that's pretty much about it....

2011 / Canberra District / pinot noir

Monday, 23 June 2014

Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz 2012

15:46 Stu.

This one had me guessing, open for three days and I am none the wiser as to where I think it will settle. It's a quality release, don't get me wrong, but the plus sign could equally be a +/-. Fresh, primary plum, and damson with a smoky, almost meaty approach to...

2012 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Sunday, 22 June 2014

Pertaringa Sauvignon Blanc 2014

13:45 Stu.

A touch simpler than its K1 stablemate, but in many ways that's what many might look for in a Sauvignon Blanc. For me, it was suggestive of warmer months ahead. Clean and fresh, it carries a bit of 'punch' towards the back end. Opening with more pronounced tropicals:...

2014 / Adelaide / Sauvignon Blanc

K1 by Geoff Hardy Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2014

13:39 Stu.

Good aromatics, bearing the hallmarks of the region. Grass with forward tropicals and touches of herb making up the fresh allure of Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is cut with citrus, again tropical notes are present, the wine finishes a touch drier, concluding with a swathe...

2014 / Adelaide Hills / Sauvignon Blanc

Lowe Wines Nullo Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2013

12:44 Stu.

Beautifully packaged wine with fruit coming off of a biodynamic-in-conversion vineyard in Mudgee sitting at a lofty 1180m elevation. I struggled with what was within. Aromatically akin more to a sweet, dessert, botrytis wine with buttery honeyed notes. Thick and...

2013 / Mudgee / Sauvignon Blanc

Bakkheia Different Drummer Fumé Blanc 2013

10:30 Stu.

A slight step up in quality here for the 2013 release. I first tasted this wine with the 2012, and as with that release the over-riding feel here is of a wine in balance with a textural feel. At the price point, it more than stakes its claim as a good drinking proposition. Capsicum, suggestions of cream and barrel work. Textural, richness, touch of acid on the back palate that acts as a counter-point...

2013 / Geographe / Sauvignon Blanc

Thursday, 12 June 2014

Eden Road The Long Road Pinot Noir 2012

15:32 Stu.

Hints of savoury stem, woody spice - made with 50% whole bunches - and red berry fruit. In a bracket of Pinots this gave the impression of being fuller - with respect to palate weight. Spice loads up on the palate, little by way of pure fruit - perhaps a modicum...

2012 / pinot noir / Tumbarumba

Wednesday, 11 June 2014

Caledonia Australis Reserve Pinot Noir 2009

13:02 Stu.

Allure of red fruit, touch of woodland and spice for an additional layer of interest. In summary: very attractive savoury bent. A lightness, ethereal, somewhat at odds to the expected depth. Moving to intense spice, tight-fine tannin structure. Impressive length and depth,...

2009 / Gippsland / pinot noir

Cooks Lot Pinot Noir 2013

12:45 Stu.

Bit green and herbal, touch of leafiness there. Touch of acid on the palate, stemmy twang, spice. Tannin is nice and fine, gives way to red fruit by way of cherry, wild strawberry. Finishes a little short, drink now. 87 Tasted on: Monday 9th June, a Root to...

2013 / Orange / pinot noir

Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Stonier Pinot Noir 2013

15:40 Stu.

I found the Mornington Peninsula a difficult place to get my head around, hard to find my bearings back on a visit there in January. In a region where the pursuit of making wines from single vineyards in emerging sub-regions, its almost refreshing to find a wine that...

2013 / Mornington Peninsula / pinot noir

Ferngrove Frankland River Shiraz 2011

05:57 Stu.

Not ashamed to say that I called this wine incorrectly on first taste. It seemed very simple, almost shut down, suffice to say I promptly returned it to the fridge for re-evaluation the next day. Behold! Hasn't the young fellow grown up - or my own senses have reawakened? Black...

2011 / Frankland River / Great Southern / Shiraz

Ferngrove Dragon Shiraz 2011

05:49 Stu.

Kicks off with a little oak that very readily makes its way for background black and red fruits. Moves to a little cherry, perhaps cola. Squarely medium bodied, more savoury than fruit-driven, sees graphite/mineral qualities, yes there's a little fruit on the...

2011 / Frankland River / Great Southern / Shiraz

Monday, 9 June 2014

BK Wines Sparks Grenache 2013

08:26 Stu.

Scant information available on the production, other than 100% whole bunch. That much is apparent on introducing one's self to the wine, with stemmy/sappy elements immediately making themselves known. Background fruit in the mix, nested with a little spice and cherry bakewell...

2013 / Blewitt Springs / grenache / McLaren Vale

Yelland and Papps Second Take Grenache 2013

06:56 Stu.

The Grenache is the pick of the '13 Second Pick releases for me - a case of Primus inter pares' rather than it standing head and shoulders above stable mates Roussanne and Shiraz. Enticing aromatics from the get go, moving to a composed palate, silken threaded, elegant....

2013 / Barossa Valley / grenache

Sunday, 8 June 2014

Foster é Rocco Sangiovese Riserva 2009

11:40 Stu.

Adam Foster and Lincoln Riley (aka Rocco - I think it's because he looked an adult movie star of the same name). Bottle strokers (Foster ex-Somm of the Lakehouse in Daylesford; Riley current purveyor of booze at Stokehouse). Deep garnet in colour, cheery, hints of almond,...

2009 / heathcote / sangiovese

Friday, 6 June 2014

Dodgy Bros Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2012

12:09 Stu.

The winemaker, the viticulturist and the grower. Wes Pearson: amateur ice-hockey player, skateboarder, winemaker and now Sensory Analyst for AWRI is a long way from where he originally called home. Canada to Willunga is not exactly the path frequently travelled,...

2012 / Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / McLaren Vale / Petit Verdot

Thursday, 5 June 2014

Hill-Smith Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2012

12:17 Stu.

Tasted blind in a bracket of eight Chardonnays, all Australian, a mix of vintages and regions represented. Stonefruit up front, supporting framework of subtle wood in support. Textural, worked example through battonage, wild ferment. Spicy oak present, delightful...

2012 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Alkoomi Frankland River Chardonnay 2012

12:12 Stu.

Tasted blind in a bracket of eight Chardonnays, all Australian, a mix of vintages and regions represented. Opens with a little sour milk, bran and wheat. Palate shows a clear nutty, spicy oak mix - good balance, ably supported by presence of fruit. Length...

2012 / Chardonnay / Frankland River / Great Southern

Wednesday, 4 June 2014

Patina Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2008

20:53 Stu.

Tasted blind in a bracket of eight Chardonnays, all Australian, a mix of vintages and regions represented. The bracket largely showing anaemic, skinny Chardonnays - as seems the current vogue with the variety. In such a bracket, a wine with 5+ years on it stood out like...

2008 / Chardonnay / Orange

Lerida Estate Lake George Chardonnay 2012

20:43 Stu.

Tasted blind in a bracket of eight Chardonnays, all Australian, a mix of vintages and regions represented. The bracket largely showing anaemic, skinny Chardonnays - as seems the current vogue with the variety. Very pale straw in colour, more Sauvignon Blanc-esque in appearance...

2012 / Canberra District / Chardonnay

Wirra Wirra The 12th Man Chardonnay 2013

11:14 Stu.

Tasted blind in a bracket of eight Chardonnays, all Australian, a mix of vintages and regions represented. The bracket largely showing anaemic, skinny Chardonnays - as seems the current vogue with the variety. Pale, with tinges of green 'n' gold. Citrus, touches of cheesecake...

2013 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Eden Road The Long Road Pinot Gris 2013

10:31 Stu.

Interesting wine this, quality obvious and inherent, varietal character clear. Classic poached pear with a little spice, suggestions of under-ripe mandarin. Lavishly textural, spice and mineral that give way to a little pickled ginger and phenolic bitterness. The wine...

2013 / Canberra District / Pinot Gris

Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz 2012

06:10 Stu.

The inky blackness within is what is first noticed, the aromatics of blue fruit, cherry, chocolate and florals next. Cedary spice and a little toasty oak - it sees 17 months in wood, 35% of which is new. Smooth, lithe and medium-full in body - a surprise at its lightness,...

2012 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Tuesday, 3 June 2014

Wirra Wirra 'Catapult' Shiraz 2012

12:02 Stu.

The late Gregg Trott succumbed to cancer in March 2005, but his legacy lives on in many of the (oft hairbrained) ideas and pipedreams that he set about turning from vision to reality. Many now adorn the the labels of Wirra Wirra wines, the winery he founded with cousin...

2012 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz / Viognier

Sunday, 1 June 2014

Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva 2008

14:25 Stu.

Rioja when on song truly enthrals. A silken slip of a wine with a curious combination of savoury elements and primary fruit. You've got to have pretty deep pockets to make it, for a Reserva - as this - has to be aged for three years prior to release and at least...

2008 / Graciano / grenache / Mazuelo / Rioja / Spain / Tempranillo

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