April 2016 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Friday, 22 April 2016

Tapanappa Riesling 2015

08:00 Stu.

A number of firsts here for Brian Croser and Tapanappa: his first revisit of making a wine with Eden Valley fruit in forty years; the first wine made with Con Moshos (former Petaluma Chief Winemaker, now returned to the Tapanappa winery); and the first wine under the Tapanappa...

2015 / Eden Valley / riesling

Thursday, 21 April 2016

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Lagrein 2014

16:30 Stu.

Inky black, violets and black currants: cracked pepper, Earth and mushroom. Bold mouthful of black fruit, silken threaded, spiced, peppery and powder puff tannin. Finishes well, on a good length - combination of fruit, spice; 91 Tasted on: Thursday...

2014 / Adelaide Hills / Lagrein / Limestone Coast

Quartz Hill Pebbles Shiraz 2013

12:00 Stu.

A little of that Pyrenees peppery profile on show here. Exudes a cool air, with grilled meat asserting its authority, herbal twists. Gravelly tannins, yet smooth entry; shows Black cherry and plummy notes, decent composed palate. Blue fruits appear in the mix...

2013 / Pyrenees / Shiraz

Orange Mountain 1397 Shiraz Viognier 2012

09:11 Stu.

Comes across as big 'n' minty: eucalyptus, oak, meat pan juices; florals - violets, bramble/briar - yet of an elegant, cool mien. Suggestive of whole bunch action - although I couldn't evidence to corroborate this. Medium-full, has a cool air, a little mintiness,...

2012 / Orange / Shiraz / Viognier

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz 2014

12:00 Stu.

Sweet, malty oak; blue and black fruit - a little fly spray, don't let that put you off dear reader - chocolate shavings. Medium-full, powder-fine tannin, black fruit, fleshy and loose knit. Touch of char, licorice. McLaren Vale writ large across the...

2014 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Cook’s Lot Allotment 689 Sauvignon Blanc 2015

08:00 Stu.

Grassy, gooseberry, passionfruit, guava-like tropicals emanating from the glass - very Orange, very Cook’s lot, very Sauvignon Blanc. Electrifying citrus dances it merry dance across the palate, crisp and minerals - carries an excellent line across the palate but falls...

2015 / Orange / Sauvignon Blanc

Tuesday, 19 April 2016

Yelland & Papps Second Take Shiraz 2015

16:30 Stu.

The fresh, sappy, aroma of new growth - the 50% whole bunch evident here. Hints of cinnamon, cola, furtive red fruit, but somewhat more savoury. As with others in the Second Take range, shows a lighter hand on the tiller. Rethink: Barossa Shiraz; plum, cherry,...

2015 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Alkoomi White Label Sauvignon Blanc 2015

15:05 Stu.

Fresh and fragrant: blackcurrant leaf, passionfruit and gooseberry. Great varietal character without being overblown or blousy. Tropical fruit flavour jostles across the palate, a little citrus sharpness, vibrant acid. This is pretty fine for $15 wine - blows many examples...

2015 / Frankland River / Sauvignon Blanc

Monday, 18 April 2016

A Rich Tapestry: St Hallet Blackwell and Old Block Vertical Tastings

08:00 Stu.

To simplify the Barossa as a 'rich tapestry' pays little respect to the myriad of sub-regions that are increasingly identified as making the whole. Begins to provide a glimpse into the wines that for many define its very identity, but yet totally neglects the other resource,...

Sunday, 17 April 2016

Teusner The Independent Shiraz Mataro 2014

18:00 Stu.

A 50/50 Shiraz/Mataro blend. Bass tones of Mataro evident here: plummy, black fruited depth; blue fruit, heady, sweet spiced accented. It's clearly full bodied, with Szechuan spice, firm and raspy tannin; deep, savoury twists, bitter licorice. A thick,...

2014 / Barossa Valley / Mataro et al / Shiraz

Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2014

12:00 Stu.

Subtle mix of dried earth, red/black fruit, possibly a little tapenade in the mix too. Medium bodied, spiced on entry, plum and cherry in the mix; tannin is fine, well integrated, however it’s the spice that dominates. Finishes OK, a plushness against a chicory bitterness...

2014 / Shiraz / South Australia / Viognier

Terre á Terre Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

09:00 Stu.

I was almost prepared to write it off this wine from the Terre á Terre close planted vineyard down at Wrattonbully, such was the relaxed manner in which it chose to open up for me. It's 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with a small addition (5%) of Cabernet Franc. Quite reserved...

2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Wrattonbully

Saturday, 16 April 2016

Signature Wines Signature Reserve 2009

17:00 Stu.

Residual oak hints and sweet black fruit provide the aromatic mix that greets you here: give it time, some air and be rewarded as it slowly unfurls in your chosen vessel. More of the same is evident in the palate, a little fruit: blackcurrant primarily...

2009 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Best's Great Western Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

11:30 Stu.

A little mint over predominantly black fruit, a little dark chocolate; violets, savoury hints. Oak, rich, layered; juicy, well pitched acid, blue fruit. Tannin is composed - easy to drink now. 90 Tasted on: Tuesday 15th March: Flower day Source: Sample Price:...

2014 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Great Western

Mitchell Harris Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

08:00 Stu.

Herbal, touch green, woody, sappy. Medium bodied - barely - leafy, touches of tobacco; drying, light and delicate palate. Has a presence, a satisfying and sustained length, tannin is gentle, composed - a little acid pitched up perfectly. 91 Tasted...

2012 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Pyrenees

Friday, 15 April 2016

Yelland & Papps Second Take Mataro 2015

16:30 Stu.

Yelland and Papps is a story about new beginnings, a story about a couple with a young family, forging their own path within a region as first generation winegrowers. A new addition to the Second Take range, sees 100% whole bunch use and spends 22 days on skins. Has...

#ProjectMataro / 2015 / Barossa Valley / Mataro et al

Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2014

12:00 Stu.

Somewhat generic red territory here, yes there are some glimpses of that blue fruit and savoury seasoning. The palate: drying, fruit in the mix, with a little dried herb. You’ll not be disappointed at the price point, but for an extra $7-10 you’ll likely be able to...

2014 / South Australia / Tempranillo

St Mary’s Pinot Noir 2013

08:00 Stu.

Bold aromas force their way out of the glass, spirited - the alcohol making itself known as it tickles the olfactory organ. There’s pomegranate molasses, cherry and menthol-eucalypt here in large quantities. The palate has a strange medicinal feel to it - all...

2013 / Limestone Coast / pinot noir

Thursday, 14 April 2016

Stockman’s Ridge Rider Pinot Noir 2014

16:30 Stu.

Aromatic opening: Vanilla, strawberry and raspberry. Light, lithe, possibly a bit under - weighing in at a mere 12% - more vanilla, a little creme that adds a little extra. Decent spine of acid, a little pepper n spice to add some punch. Pretty good going - not...

2014 / Orange / pinot noir

Windowrie Estate The Mill Sauvignon Blanc 2015

11:33 Stu.

Gooseberry, passionfruit, perhaps even a little citrus peel here on show with the little expressive number. Has a steely, harder edge that doesn’t quite flow from the softer aromatics that introduce the wine. Nothing to particularly excite - neither anything...

2015 / Orange / Sauvignon Blanc

Terre a Terre Down to Earth Sauvignon Blanc 2015

08:00 Stu.

The wine saw a portion - 28% - fermented in large format oak barrels, foudre, spending a further four months on lees (both foudre and stainless steel portions). I like to include this information as it provides an indication of what to epxect. Fruit from the close...

2015 / Sauvignon Blanc / Wrattonbully

Wednesday, 13 April 2016

Wirra Wirra Hiding Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2015

16:30 Stu.

For a Hills SB it manages to eschew the overt grassiness that I oft associate with that variety and region combo. Instead of focussing on what it’s not, it’s about vanilla, florals, yes there’s some of that grassiness, but it’s also augmented with a little lime curd and...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Sauvignon Blanc

Brash Higgins GR/M (Grenache Mataro) 2015

11:30 Stu.

A 70/30 blend of the two respectively, co-fermented. Biodynamically farmed, from the Blewitt Springs sub-region. Luscious red fruit leads: red currant, perhaps a little cranberry - over a subtle herbal twists. Light, incredibly so; red fruit opens, making way to...

K1 Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2014

08:00 Stu.

Opens with plum, cherry, hints of oak seasoning. The palate shows a wine that's fine, embedded tannin, black fruit, can see structure and savoury mien the wine will morph into. Some depth of flavour, firmer body. Picks up a little on the finish, a surge of...

2014 / Adelaide Hills / Shiraz

Tuesday, 12 April 2016

Swinging Bridge Reserve Chardonnay 2014

14:00 Stu.

Creamed corn, oak, seasoning, buttery, stonefruit. Worked, buttery, hint of steely edge, taking on some weight, teenage puppy-fat, fleshing out around a spine of acid. It's long, elegant, the acid carrying you long across the back palate - superb. 92 Tasted on: Sunday...

2014 / Chardonnay / Orange / Reserve

K1 Middle Hill Shiraz 2014

12:00 Stu.

Bramble, blackcurrant/cassis, sandy earth, latent red fruit. Possesses Middle Hill's familiar medium bodied ease, fruit, spice, a perky - almost pippy - acidity. Finishes well: surge of black fruit on a good length. Not quite as complete in previous years,...

2014 / Adelaide Hills / Shiraz

d'Arenberg Sticks n Stones 2011

08:00 Stu.

Blueberry and vanilla, some violets, woody spice. Medium bodied, blue fruits, savoury, vanilla and some residual oak. Spice, a little clove. Waxy, smooth and rounded. Good length, generous, savoury - little spike of red fruit. 91 Tasted on: Wednesday...

2011 / grenache / McLaren Vale / Souzao / Tempranillo / Tinta Cão

Monday, 11 April 2016

Ridgemill Estate Cabernet Malbec 2010

16:00 Stu.

Leads with a funky edge, slightly herbal, bit of black olive, damp undergrowth. Soft, supple, rounded black fruit profile. Gentle tannin, almost velvety in texture. It's barely medium bodied, spice disarms, a little licorice. Seemingly yields each more each...

2010 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Granite Belt / Merlot

d'Arenberg Olive Grove Chardonnay 2015

12:00 Stu.

d'Arenberg draws from fruit from both McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills to produce this exceptional value Chardonnay. The perfume is interesting, showing citrus, husk and more than a little spice. The palate sees more of that line of citrus coming through: lemon, lime,...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay / McLaren Vale

Dodgy Bros Pinot Gris 2015

08:00 Stu.

All nashi pear, skinsy feels, bruised apple hints; honeysuckle and a little stonefruit panna cotta. It's lavishly textured - seeing some 30% of solids included to build texture without sugar - layered, spiced. Skin contact - four hours - sufficient to lend a little blush...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Pinot Gris

Sunday, 10 April 2016

Patina 'Little Wood' Chardonnay 2011

16:00 Stu.

Owner/winemaker Gerald Naef's not afraid to release his wines with a little age on them. This Chardonnay, from Orange in NSW, is released as a 4 year old. I struggled to see the aromatics I'd expect from the variety, somewhat muted, subtle creaminess, a little oak and...

2011 / Chardonnay / Orange

Toolangi Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2014

12:00 Stu.

Chicken stock, stonefruit, meal and a little quince. The palate opens up, a little more expressively: citrus, kumquat, it's honeyed and demonstrates a god line of acid through only partially going through malolactic fermentation. Length is decent. 90 Tasted...

2014 / Chardonnay / Yarra Valley

Lark Hill Mr V Marsanne Roussanne Viognier 2014

09:27 Stu.

Assured golden notes of honey, master stock, florals and stone fruit. Colour suggests some skin contact - a deep golden hue. Textural wonder, a little grip and weight. Citrus and cream are absolutely spot on. Unyielding savoury length. Superb. 93 Tasted on: Friday 13th...

2014 / Canberra District / Marsanne / Roussanne / Viognier

Saturday, 9 April 2016

Terre á Terre 'Rouge' 2014

10:00 Stu.

A new wine to the Terre á Terre portfolio, a blend of Cab Franc/Shiraz/Cab Sauv (60/28/12% respectively). A beautifully vibrant winning, brimming in wine. Cedar, bay, mulberry, fruits of the forest. Light of body, delicate, almost fragile; dried herb, red fruit,...

2014 / Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz / Wrattonbully

Friday, 8 April 2016

Teusner 'The Dog Strangler' Mataro 2013

15:30 Stu.

Oak, coffee accented plummy depths; a dollop of fruits of the forest compote, florals and a little garrigue/dried herb. On song. Chewy, richly spiced, game and dried meat; Dutch licorice, a textural swathe across the finish segueing to a Jamie Oliver style sprinkle...

#ProjectMataro / 2013 / Barossa Valley / Mataro et al

Cape Jaffa Rip Tide Red Blend 2014

09:30 Stu.

Titled as a 'red blend' yet is an interesting mix 70% Viognier and 30% Shiraz. Smells primary, of red fruit and stonefruit. Across the palate it's nimble, light, skips around the palate; stonefruit, almost jubey, light grip, juicy acidity Bloody easy to...

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