2015 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Sunday, 13 December 2015

Kreglinger Vintage Brut 2006

07:42 Stu.

A fine bead, moussey strands that connect together. Bready, leesy, yeasty notes - time on lees adds this substantive depth. Suggestion of macerated strawberry. A wine of substance, of volume, and presence. Creamy, honeyed hints, biscuit, nougat and apple strudel. An...

2006 / Chardonnay / pinot noir / Sparkling / Tasmania

Coriole Picpoul 2015

07:01 Stu.

Great to see this variety being produced in Australia now. This is the first commercial bottling of the variety I am aware of. The vines were imported in 2008, planted in 2011. This, the second vintage of the wine, the first in 2014 saw a mere 40L made and in 2015 that...

2015 / McLaren Vale / Picpoul

Saturday, 12 December 2015

Signature Wines Reserve Range Sauvignon Blanc 2015

08:44 Stu.

The Reserve shows more of the hallmark gooseberry and passionfruit here, defined tropicals - the herbaceous present, yet taking more of of a back seat. Somewhat easing, or reclining into the wines profile. Acid present, yet dialled down; fruit character more prominent...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Sauvignon Blanc

Friday, 11 December 2015

Yelland & Papps Sete di Vino 2014

11:02 Stu.

A wickedly delicious blend of Primitivo (78% ) and Barbera (22%) from the Barossa. Continues in the same vein as its cousins from former years (reviews). Black fruited: kirsch-like, plum brandy. Rich, heady, concentrated. Palate is mid to full, juicy, good...

2014 / Barbera / Barossa Valley / Primitivo

Tuesday, 8 December 2015

Champagne Brimoncourt Blanc de Blanc NV

17:45 Stu.

Pretty impressive wesbite from Brimoncourt, a somewhat new negociant Champagne house, in the process of acquiring its own holdings. Its raison d'être is: "to get back to the original DNA of champagne, to the time when it was a light and joyful wine, a wine that was...

Champagne / Chardonnay / France / NV / Sparkling

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

Signature Wines Estate Range Sauvignon Blanc 2015

13:16 Stu.

Carries the signature (excuse the pun) of both region and variety - in that order too. Cut grass, a little nettle, fleshy and open tropicals - yet managing to eschew the overt characters many are afflicted with. Zesty, with lively acidity, a little chalky pucker - adds...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Sauvignon Blanc

Monday, 30 November 2015

Voyager Estate Chenin Blanc 2014

10:07 Stu.

Ah Chenin Blanc. When executed well it can be a heavenly nectar. But all too often it can seem over extracted, lots of estery characters. Fortunately here, Voyager Estate have set out to deliberately make this example in an earlier drinking, softer, approachable style. Per...

2014 / Chenin Blanc / Margaret River

Thursday, 26 November 2015

Cook's Lot 'Lot 333' Riesling 2015

10:00 Stu.

On song, as good as I've seen it, a stellar release from Duncan Cook down in Orange. A fine, floral feast on display here: magnolia, white florals, vanilla and slight musky tones. Suggestive of a little leading spritz, an awakening that delivers a fresh, zippy, zesty...

2015 / Orange / riesling

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Lark Hill Viognier 2015

17:21 Stu.

Winemaker Chris Carpenter has a firm hand on the tiller of this engimatic variety. Not easy to get right, here Carpenter has picked a little early to retain some acidity with sacrificing trademark stonefruit and spice. You can almost imagine biting into the delicate,...

2015 / Canberra District / Viognier

Taylors Promised Land Chardonnay 2014

11:51 Stu.

Represents as something akin to a Chardonnay/ Sauvignon Blanc hybrid, with green tropicals, gooseberry and a touch of tangy citrus. Carries that acidity well into the palate, balanced against what shows as a little mid-palate sweetness. From a personal preference, it's...

2014 / Chardonnay / South Australia

Thursday, 19 November 2015

Daosa Blanc de Blanc 2011

10:00 Stu.

A lively effervescence: persistence of bead, yeasty autolysis top notes, complexity from 51 months on lees. Citrus tang, a swathe of acid cutting a minerally line - yet softened sufficiently from time both sur lie and bois. A little biscuit depth, persistent acid. Glorious...

2011 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay / Sparkling

Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Kalleske Plenarius Viognier 2014

20:49 Stu.

Honey, apricot, ginger - intoxicating, alluring - not least that russety, amber colour from spending some an extended maceration period on its grape skins. Full on, for what is ostensibly a white wine, bristling and humming with flavour, great phenolics and trim acid. Dry,...

2014 / Barossa Valley / Biodynamic / Viognier

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Lark Hill Riesling 2015

13:17 Stu.

Green apple, pithy citrus/sherbet character; suggestive tropical fruit notes (not as prominent as prior - cooler - vintage). Crunchy acid, citrus flourishes more akin to lime, a little honeyed note perhaps (golden delicious oxidative hint). Good length, not just a line...

2015 / Canberra District / riesling

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Zonin Prosecco NV

11:49 Stu.

I've purchased this Prosecco before - a very cost effective input into a home made Aperol Spritz - so I was quite happy to receive a bottle for review. It's a Woolworths exclusive (the Pinnacle Liquor reference a dead giveaway) so you'll only find it in the likes of BWS....

Glera / Italy / NV / Prosecco

Friday, 23 October 2015

Faux Pas Grenache 2014

09:00 Stu.

Meshes primary red fruit with savoury nuances delivered from the inclusion of stems. Lends it an altogether more serious, savoury air. Spicy, savoury, smooth - silken threads meander around the palate, delivering savoury licks and spicy kicks. Good line of flavour,...

2014 / grenache / McLaren Vale

Thursday, 22 October 2015

Topper's Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2014

14:45 Stu.

Second release of this interesting white blend (2013) and a 'sister' to the 'Red Earth Child'. Musk and rose water clear on the nose provide clues as to the presence of Gewürztraminer here. Residual hints of vanilla, creamy almond and cashew provide further hints,...

2014 / Chardonnay / Gewürztraminer / Sauvignon Blanc / Viognier

Cooks Lot Orange Rosé 2015

09:00 Stu.

Lovely berry derived aromatics, supplemented with hints of floral (lavender?) and spice. Touch of strawberries and cream latterly, a little savoury top note rounding things out. Layered texture, cascading fruit, persistence of flavour. There's a little chalky dryness...

2015 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Orange / Rosé / Shiraz

Wednesday, 21 October 2015

B3 Barossa Valley Chardonnay 2012

18:18 Stu.

Not entirely sure why you'd grow Chardonnay in the Barossa... Toast and oak, shows signs of advanced development: a touch figgy with residual citrus curd hints. Flat palate profile, oak and and sour fruit. Retains some length, a bout its only redeeming feature - priced accordingly. 84 Tasted on: Wednesday 26th August, a Fruit day Source: Cellar Door Price: $8 Alcohol: 13% Closure: Screwcap Website: http://www.b3wines.com.au/ Follow...

2012 / Barossa Valley / Chardonnay

Rogers & Rufus Grenache of Barossa Rosé 2015

17:47 Stu.

One of the stalwarts from the revolution that threatened to propel dry, savoury and textural rosé into the mindset of the Australian drinker. Think and drink pink sadly seems to have been overlooked by the pervasive talk dry, think sweet mindset. Made by winemaker Sam...

2015 / Barossa Valley / grenache / Rosé

Friday, 16 October 2015

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

10:00 Stu.

Perfectly pitched oak framing red and black fruit over a little menthol and seasoning. Possesses a subtlety, an allure... Medium bodied, succulent texture, fantastic structure. Fruit, oak, seasoning, excellent carriage of flavour. Good to go now, but would like to see...

2011 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Margaret River

Thursday, 15 October 2015

Alkoomi Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

19:57 Stu.

Red berry fruit framed up with adroitly handled oak, seasoning and leaf. Medium bodied, firm, yet powdery, tannin, good solid core with eucalyptus and layers of savoury flavour. Shows some aniseed too - somewhat unusually. Structure, could do with a little more...

2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Frankland River / Great Southern

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

Pewsey Vale Prima Riesling 2015

09:00 Stu.

I often seek out medium-dry (a Riesling that carries some retained sugar, not necessarily overtly sweet in style) Rieslings to accompany dishes with a little extra spice. Pewsey Vale's Prima is executed well. Seeing the retention of around 24-25 g/l of residual sugar,...

2015 / Eden Valley / riesling

Monday, 5 October 2015

Out of Step Wine Co Malakoff Nebbiolo 2014

14:30 Stu.

A very different guise to the 2013 - somewhat more serious, no less delicious. Indeed, from the producer's website: "A very different cat to our 2013 Nebbiolo from the same site. Some similarities in that the fruit was once again spectacular (the John family truly are...

2014 / nebbiolo / Pyrenees

Yalumba Galway Malbec 2012

07:22 Stu.

Dusty, dusky hints, a little smokey violet and lavender on show. Iron, blue fruit, licorice - varietal. Good carry of chalky tannin on the finish, a finish that lingers. Good start point for those unfamiliar with the variety. 89 Tasted on: Saturday 15th August:...

2012 / Barossa Valley / Malbec

Friday, 25 September 2015

Heggies Eden Valley Riesling 2015

09:00 Stu.

Lots of life here: spritzy, gorgeously aromatic with tangy lime over some tropical edges. Bath salt energy pervades too. More tangy lime on the palate, crunchy acid that reaches into the far corners of your mouth, as if seeking a place to hide. Not just a line merchant,...

2015 / Eden Valley / riesling

Thursday, 24 September 2015

Fox Creek Vixen NV Sparkling Red

07:20 Stu.

A blend ofShiraz (74%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). Pours a vibrant purple edge, lively, a good bead.Aromatics of it's constituent parts: chocolate, cherry - heady. On the palate it's rounded, soft, enticing - poured this for some avowed non-sparkling...

Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / NV / Shiraz / Sparkling

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Yelland & Papps Second Take Roussanne 2014

09:00 Stu.

Quite possibly one of the most colourful additions to the Australian winemaking scene of recent years, hotly following on the heels of both 2012 and 2013, comes this stellar release. Pours a familiar cloudy, opaque, cidery form - indeed it even shows those apple and...

2014 / Barossa Valley / Roussanne

Monday, 21 September 2015

Hither & Yon Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

14:45 Stu.

There's just something about the Hither & Yon wines, be it visual appeal, relative ease on the pocket, approachability without sacrificing varietal character. Consistent. That too. Cherry ripe-esque: mass of fruit over chocolate, without eschewing varietal...

2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon / McLaren Vale

Oakvale Ablington Chardonnay 2014

10:00 Stu.

Golden, cashew, nougat oak - where's the fruit as Manu might say - a little residual grilled nectarine. Oak, honeyed - citrus acidity - doesn't feel quite so cohesive. A case of Arthur or Martha. Leaves me pondering - will it come together? A questionable: 87 Tasted...

2014 / Chardonnay / Hunter Valley

Sunday, 20 September 2015

Pipers Brook Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

20:05 Stu.

I was unsure whether to add an apostrophe to Pipers or not, the winery seems to omit doing so, so I shall follow suit. The grammatical dilemmas of a blogger (albeit one with a casual grasp of the English language at best). Stunning Chardonnay that only serves to reinforce...

2013 / Chardonnay / Tasmania

St Mary's Shiraz 2013

08:41 Stu.

Situated 15 kilometres west of Penola, outside the boundaries of the Coonawarra GI. The Mulligan family has owned the property since the 30s, establishing a vineyard in 1984. The first vintage was in 1990. Curiously smells a little like Mortein on opening, with blackberry,...

2013 / Limestone Coast / Shiraz

Tuesday, 8 September 2015

Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz 2013

15:30 Stu.

Employs the appasimento technique, whereby some of the fruit is dried prior to fermentation, for extra concentration and richness. Additionally the wine sees 35% whole bunch inclusion, adding depth structure. Techniques employed show their hands here: concentrated...

2013 / Eden Valley / Shiraz

Taylors Promised Land Shiraz 2014

10:30 Stu.

An approachable Shiraz that will please many, and leave you with plenty of change from a twenty. Slightly jammy lead-in: compote and vanilla. Has a fair measure of crowd-pleasing appeal. Juicy, medium bodied, generous in a fruit-driven style. Simplicity well executed,...

2014 / Shiraz / South Australia

Monday, 7 September 2015

Ferngrove Orchid Dragon Shiraz 2012

14:00 Stu.

Black fruit, bramble, hedgerow, a little dried grass. Smooth, medium bodied; sweet spice and sweet red fruit, touches of vanilla led by fine tannin. Long, elegant finish... 92 Tasted on: Wednesday 5th August, a Leaf day Source: Sample Price: $32 Alcohol: 13.5% Closure:...

2012 / Great Southern / Shiraz

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz 2012

10:00 Stu.

Toasty oak, spice; mulberry, plum and blueberry - a little caramel and vanilla pudding in the mix too. Feels pretty tight, coiled - good medium bodied texture. Fruit is bound up with the oak, pleasant enough, but it needs to throw the shackles and loosen up a little. Works...

2012 / Margaret River / Shiraz

Sunday, 6 September 2015

Out of Step Wine Co. Lusatia Park Sauvignon Blanc 2014

10:00 Stu.

Throws a steely line on initial introduction, fruit aromas are present as supplementary top notes of citrus, grapefruit and lime. Sees some new wood (25%), the balance being second use etc. It really is a remarkable wine, the palate showing width and incredible length....

2014 / Sauvignon Blanc / Woori Yallock / Yarra Valley

Pewsey Vale Riesling 2015

07:13 Stu.

Opens with pithy citrus, bath salt and talcum aromatics. Finger lime and grapefruit acidity abound. Impressive length and drive, yet not linear, has sufficient texture, shape and flow to balance the acid. As a good Riesling should, reels you back in for more. Freshness...

2015 / Eden Valley / riesling

Saturday, 5 September 2015

Running With Bulls Barossa Tempranillo 2014

13:42 Stu.

Perfect with Tapas! So it says on the label, a bit of a broad statement, but yes, it would pair very well with certain dishes. Love the blue fruit that pervades here. That juicy, almost sour blueberry over a little charcuterie and spice. Good energetic palate profile,...

2014 / Barossa Valley / Tempranillo

Saturday, 29 August 2015

Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2013

06:37 Stu.

Cherry leads supplemented with a little earth and licorice root. Good juice laden body, moderate intensity; red fruit tinged with a little woody spice. Finishes on a good length - all present and correct Sir! 90 Tasted on: Saturday 1st August, a Root day Source: Sample Price:...

2013 / Orange / sangiovese

Thursday, 27 August 2015

Redbank Emily Brut Cuvee NV

10:00 Stu.

A little quince here, and in the wrong glassware smells sweeter than one anticipates. Fine moussey texture, marmalade citrus - in a normal stem it's actual coarser in texture - bready with some yeast autolysis character. A decent fizz for the price. 88 Tasted on: Saturday...

Chardonnay / King Valley / NV / pinot noir

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

Mitchell Harris Fumé Blanc 2014

10:00 Stu.

Always a classy addition to the Sauvignon Blanc scene, a world away from the overt fruit of many examples on the market. Familiar passionfruit - sans the grass - augmented with a little pineapple. Feels rounded, textural and savoury - but doesn't quite reach the heights scaled...

2014 / Pyrenees / Sauvignon Blanc

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

The Lane Block 10 Sauvignon Blanc 2015

10:00 Stu.

Passionfruit, a little nettle, Hendricks and cucumber G'n'T - clean and cool. Fleshy, showed a bit of texture - interesting given it's tank fermented - carried by a sharp line of acid. Impressive achievements given it sees no oak, a thorough approach to picking achieves...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Sauvignon Blanc

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