January 2017 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Cush & Cush Wine Co. Grenache Mataro 2016

12:30 Stu.

Think of this as the Mark II version of the little juice bomb reviewed late last year. Think of that schoolmate you had a crush on, who returns after an extended Summer vacation, having grown up to become a somewhat more sophisticated version of their former...

2016 / grenache / Mataro et al / McLaren Vale

Mr Mick Riesling 2016

08:00 Stu.

Lemongrass leads, over something medicinal - a little like rubbing alcohol. Flavour comes across as a fruit salad (a little like the chews i used to buy as a nipper). Lacks the cut 'n' thrust and length of better examples. Sure goes alright mind, a lingering...

2016 / Clare Valley / riesling

Sunday, 29 January 2017

Hentley Farm Black Beauty Sparkling Shiraz NV 2016 Disgorgement

14:30 Stu.

For some reason I thought this a Non-vintage sparkler, but it appears to be a vintage wine. By-the-by. Beautiful, brambly, black fruit nose, touch of black cherry and even a little spice and almond paste here. Smooth, velvety, an elegance with a depth bringing up the...

Barossa / NV / Shiraz / Sparkling

La La Land Pinot Gris 2015

08:30 Stu.

Least convincing of the wines from this, otherwise, impressive entry level label. Rockmelon, pear, lemon barley. Lacks on the palate, stonefruit syrup - comes across a little sweet. No great shakes. 85 Tasted on: Sunday 25th September, a Flower to Leaf day Source: Sample Price: $16 Alcohol: 13.5% Closure: Screwcap Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomn...

Saturday, 28 January 2017

Zontes Footstep Chocolate Factory McLaren Vale Shiraz 2015

15:30 Stu.

Fresh, bags of black fruit - a little edge of sweetness on the nose, not a lingering presence. More of that carries through to the entry to the palate, a nice transition to a slick, velvety palate. If you've ever tried 'Galaxy' chocolate you might understand my...

2015 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Alkoomi Melaleuca Riesling 2016

08:30 Stu.

Summer breeze, makes me feel fine; spring, the awakening of the season, as this enlivens the senses: citrus, honeysuckle, minerally bath salts. Assertive in its flavour profile: lime, kaffir lime leaf - persistent and powerful. Has a stoney undertow to it. Wonderful...

2016 / Great Southern / riesling

Friday, 27 January 2017

Tapanappa Cabernet Shiraz 2013

12:30 Stu.

Cabernet, Shiraz - 85/15 split of the two; 20 months in 90% new French. Classy oak at that: vanilla cedar and hazelnut. Barely lets the Cabernet speak. Slowly, tentatively at first, a whisper becomes a murmur. Glass like smoothness, power-punch black fruit, class,...

2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz / Wrattonbully

Mr Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz 2013

08:30 Stu.

Mr. Riggs Shiraz is a blend of five great McLaren Vale Shiraz vineyards: Piebald Gully, Duckchase Beal and Bradens. This is the twelfth release of Shiraz under the Mr. Riggs label. Dark, somewhat tarry, prunes, cloven spice. Smooth, plush, rich and voluminous...

2013 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Thursday, 26 January 2017

Out of Step Wine Co Willowlake VineyardSauvignon Blanc 2016

14:30 Stu.

“Making small batches from sites selected for their ability to yield grapes of outstanding quality, and eschewing many conventional techniques that seem to make for rather pedestrian booze…”. That’s what makes these the only producer of Sauv Blanc that i actually...

Tim Adams Mr Mick Tempranillo 2014

09:04 Stu.

Curious mix, somewhat soapy against a backdrop of black fruit, spice. Open, loose palate structure - mid-weight, just. Black/blue fruit, strawberry juiciness, a little herbal back edge. Certainly goes alright, at a good price, have this for under $13/14 if you shop...

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

Shaw Vineyard Estate Riesling 2016

12:30 Stu.

Beautifully aromatic incarnation of Riesling from the Canberra District: carries many of those fresh elements that you'd associate with Thai cuisine, offering lime, lemongrass, kaffir lime. Really fresh palate, bags of citrus and accompanying fresh acidity. Not...

2016 / Canberra District / Murrumbateman / riesling

Riversdale Estate Cygnus Riesling 2013

08:30 Stu.

Apropos of nothing, this won Best white of show at Australian Cool Climate Wine Show in 2013. Lime, lemongrass, musky hints on the nose here. Textural, good acid structure, presence and persistence. Possesses a little back palate fruit sweetness. Good presence...

2013 / riesling / Tasmania

Tuesday, 24 January 2017

Ridgemill Estate 'The Czar' Saperavi 2014

12:08 Stu.

Saperavi is a relatively obscure variety, of Georgian (former Soviet, not Southern US, state) origin that is making a bit of a name for itself in the hands of a few brave warriors - in this case Ridgemill's Peter McGlashan. Rich, chocolatey, florals, blue fruit, spice....

2014 / Granite Belt / Saperavi

Torzi Matthews Vigna Cantina Tempranillo 2015

08:30 Stu.

Dusty cocoa, nuttiness to proceedings, a little underlying citrus (a little like Grand Marnier or something). Medium bodied, juicy, cherry ripe with a suggestion of blue fruit in the mix. A little tannin, fine. Good drinking juice. Something to ease into on a Sunday...

2015 / Barossa Valley / Tempranillo

Monday, 23 January 2017

d'Arenberg The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay 2014

20:46 Stu.

Stonefruit, wheat germ, little oak. Buttery, cream, vanilla, residual oak spice - comely, full and quite shapely. Pretty good for the fuller figured take. Built for comfort, not for speed. 88 Tasted on: Sunday 11th September, a Fruit day Source:...

2014 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Saturday, 21 January 2017

Riversdale Estate Riesling 2011

08:30 Stu.

Ah Riesling, let me count the ways... At 5 years old it's showing the hints of development one would expect, petroleum hints with bitter citrus, preserved lemons. Minerally, positively vibrant, lively. Has an electrifying energy, that recedes before a calmness, a citrus laden body. 91 Tasted on: Sunday 11th September, a Fruit day Source: Sample Price: $35 Alcohol: 12% Closure:...

2011 / Coal River / riesling / Tasmania

Friday, 20 January 2017

Primo & Co 'The Venetian' Garganega Bianco Veneto 2015

14:06 Stu.

Joe Grilli likes to explore his Italian roots, making this Gargenaga over in northern Italy's Veneto region. Readers and drinkers might know Gargenaga better as the grape of the easy going Soave. Smells green, and crisp with aromatics of cucumber and florals. Tangy...

2015 / Gargenega / Italy / Veneto

Thursday, 19 January 2017

Out of Step Wine Co. Malakoff Estate Nebbiolo 2015

16:39 Stu.

Some cracking wines come off this dirt. Would love to visit one day. Expressly expressive: tobacco, Black cherry, grilled nuts, balsamic. It just has presence: it's chewy, thick, has that Nebbiolo tarry presence with flecks of licorice. Savoury to its dense, dark...

2015 / nebbiolo / Pyrenees

Tuesday, 17 January 2017

Skinner Vineyards Dry Diggings Rhone Blend 2013

08:30 Stu.

Rhone inspired blend from California's Sierra Foothills, the mix combining 39% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 14% Counoise, 11% Petite Sirah, 6% Mourvedre, 5% Viognier. I found the classification of Californian Wine quite confusing, this cites itself as being from...

2013 / California / El Dorado / Fair Play / Sierra Foothills / USA

Monday, 16 January 2017

Bremerton Mollie & Merle Verdelho 2015

08:30 Stu.

I remember the press guff that accompanied this wine, talking of a new hot thing grape variety called Ohledrev, and how we'd likely be accepting, or more embracing of such. Basically, seeking us to challenge our perceptions. Veritable fruit salad nose, a little rock...

Sunday, 15 January 2017

Riversdale Estate Roaring Forties Riesling 2015

12:16 Stu.

Freshening mix of citrus and perhaps a little bruised apple. Palate is lithe and lively, showing good flavours of citrus, Apple with balance of flavour and acid to enliven the palate (and senses) Decent length. I've long considered Riesling (clearly...

2015 / Coal River / riesling / Tasmania

Friday, 13 January 2017

Alkoomi White Label Rosé 2016

10:46 Stu.

Made from Petit Verdot - opens with fresh, fruity, almost bubble gum aromatics, some florals. Good lead-in. Clean, crisp, dry - almost chalky - some good underlying fruit presence (without being fruity, or sweet). Happy days indeed at 15 sheets, such good value...

2016 / Great Southern / Petit Verdot / Rosé

Thursday, 12 January 2017

Yelland & Papps Vermentino 2016

12:29 Stu.

On a steamy Brisbane Summer day, an apparent temperature of 38 degrees - this is what I would turn to. Florals, citrus, has a sorbet-like freshness, some Granny Smith (apples, not real grannies) greenness. Aromas that waft in and out, make their presence known. Clean...

2016 / Barossa Valley / Vermentino

Wednesday, 11 January 2017

Ridgemill Estate Mourvèdre 2014

08:37 Stu.

Varietal Mataro from Queensland's Granite Belt GI. Bit of a rare individual, on this showing it's something you'd certainly hope to see more of - in the right hands, of course. Expressive individual: blue fruit, spice laden, subtle oak influence lends support. Certainly...

2014 / Granite Belt / Mataro et al

Tuesday, 10 January 2017

Ballycroft Langhorne Creek Montepulciano 2016

18:32 Stu.

Very different offering from the Ballycroft stable. Almost the anthi-thesis of what i've tasted before. Never stop surprising me Joe! Bright and vibrant, Jubey almost, attractive stone fruit and florals. Savoury elements too - possible minor bunch inclusion with a minerally core and Italianate twiggy elements. Bright, juicy, good rub of powdery tannin across the palate. Sour cherry,...

2016 / Langhorne Creek / Montepulciano

Monday, 9 January 2017

Out of Step Wine Co Lusatia Park Sauvignon Blanc 2015

08:30 Stu.

Funky edge derived from barrel fermentation. There's passionfruit, grass, a little asparagus, root veg. Palate defies any descriptor of Sauvignon Blanc i've tasted: it's quite thick, nigh chewy, having a substantive presence. Possesses something like a creme brulee, with a trailing minerality. Sublime. 94 Tasted on: Friday 9th September, a Leaf day Source: Sample Price: $26 Alcohol:...

2015 / Sauvignon Blanc / Single Vineyard / Yarra Valley

Sunday, 8 January 2017

Zonte's Footstep Excalibur Sauvignon Blanc 2016

08:30 Stu.

Excalibur, the famous sword of Arthurian legend - the wine so named for the swath it cuts through your nostrils with its overlying tropical with an undertow of fresh herb. The palate a mix of the same carried by a mix of lively acidity. It's a bit jumpy to be...

Saturday, 7 January 2017

Hentley Farm Rosé 2016

15:45 Stu.

Happy New Year - i s'pose this blog doesn't write itself now... Lurid pink in glass, like grannie's lipstick (un)gracefully applied before planting a smacker with her pruney lips. All about the red fruit (unsurprising given it's made from Grenache), of raspberry,...

2016 / Barossa / grenache / Rosé

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