The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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Friday, 25 September 2015

Heggies Eden Valley Riesling 2015

  09:00    

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, has spread, texture - easy drinking. 92

 Tasted on: Friday 14th August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $23.95
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.heggiesvineyard.com/

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Thursday, 24 September 2015

Fox Creek Vixen NV Sparkling Red

  07:20    

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 red drinkers who were wone over by its graceful charms.

Not wanting for character, it also shows a little spice and a glorious dark tail through to its conclusion.

 Tasted on: Wednesday 12th August, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.foxcreekwines.com/

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Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Yelland & Papps Second Take Roussanne 2014

  09:00    

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 pear qualities. Spice, florals, textural nuances.

 Looking back over those previous releases, you see familial traits, yet with the ebbs and flows of vintage, of the winemakers guiding hand, you see difference.

 Celebrate the wine for what it is, damn drinkable without sacrificing complexity of interest, and not just a curio. 93

 Tasted on: Wednesday 29th July 2015, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 11.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Monday, 21 September 2015

Hither & Yon Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

  14:45    

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 character.

 Per the Hither & Yon style, a wine of easy going nature; medium-bodied elegance, suggestion of blueberry and bright fruit in general.

 So easy - and pleasurable - to drink, not an easy feat to achieve. 90

 Tasted on: Wednesday 12th August 2015, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hitherandyon.com.au/

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Oakvale Ablington Chardonnay 2014

  10:00    

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 on: Tuesday 11th August 2015, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $33
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.oakvalewines.com.au/

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Sunday, 20 September 2015

Pipers Brook Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

  20:05    

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 Tasmania's credentials as a home for world class, cool-climate wines. Indeed, redolent of the cool - exhibiting peachy top notes with underlying briny hints, a little creamy cashew oak.

 Green apple acidity, indicative of no, or at least partial, malolactic fermentation. Mineral, crunch of good acid and driving good length. One for the acid-heads here. Those short on enamel need not apply. 92

 Tasted on: Tuesday 11th August, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $34  
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://kreglingerwineestates.com/cellar-door/pipers-brook-vineyard/

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St Mary's Shiraz 2013

  08:41    

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, leather and nuts lurking behind.

 Mint on a medium bodied entry, slick and silken. Pippy black fruit about the place with a seam of fine tannin. Lots to like here. 91

 Tasted on: Sunday 9th August, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://stmaryswines.com/

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Tuesday, 8 September 2015

Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz 2013

  15:30    

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 black fruit, with a tail of Eden Valley elegance.

 Silken smooth, glossy, concentrated; pastille like, generous in its flavour and execution. For all that ripeness, it's a wine of balance, depth and perfect for a cool evening with its all encompassing manner.

 Deceptive black fruited length just seals the deal. 93

 Tasted on: Saturday 8th August, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.torzimatthews.com.au/

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Taylors Promised Land Shiraz 2014

  10:30    

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, a little spice adds interest. 86

 Tasted on: Thursday 6th August, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $13.95
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au/

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Monday, 7 September 2015

Ferngrove Orchid Dragon Shiraz 2012

  14:00    

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: Screwcap
Website: www.ferngrove.com.au

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Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz 2012

  10:00    

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 well, nicely integrated fruit/tannin/spice, just lacks a bit of wow for now. 91+

 Tasted on: Monday 3rd August, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $36
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.leeuwinestate.com.au/

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Sunday, 6 September 2015

Out of Step Wine Co. Lusatia Park Sauvignon Blanc 2014

  10:00    

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. Inherent texture without sacrificing line and length through acid. Such focus and tension, exemplary. 93

 Tasted on: Monday 3rd August, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.outofstepwineco.com/

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Pewsey Vale Riesling 2015

  07:13    

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 exemplified. 92

 Tasted on: Friday 7th August, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.pewseyvale.com/riesling

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Saturday, 5 September 2015

Running With Bulls Barossa Tempranillo 2014

  13:42    

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, zips about the place, refreshing. Nice and fresh, joven style. 92

 Tasted on: Saturday 1st August, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.runningwithbulls.com.au/

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