February 2017 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Friday, 24 February 2017

Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2014

08:30 Stu.

Unequivocally McLaren Vale, undoubtedly the sum of itself from that region. Speaking of place and varieties: black fruit, that HB pencil like graphite quality and - of course - chocolate notes to round out and provide richness. In the mouth it has feel and flow,...

2014 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Thursday, 23 February 2017

Shaw Vineyard Estate Reserve Merriman Shiraz 2014

08:47 Stu.

Carries red fruit, spice, delicate oak - in tune with itself. Medium bodied, smooth, silken-threaded, elegant. Not the most complex, but composed, I feel drawn to that word: elegant - again. Has a sense of flow, finesse and flavour. Spike of cola derived flavour...

2014 / Canberra District / Shiraz

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Yelland & Papps Shiraz 2015

12:30 Stu.

New addition to the Y&P 'Butcher's Paper' range. Picked pretty early - Feb - de-stemmed, though I was sure of some whole bunch inclusion, hence herbal, touches of cola, tea. Cinnamon, baking spice, grilled meat even. Savoury, Peppery, suggestion of assertive...

2015 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Vinteloper Park Wine White 2015

08:26 Stu.

I was in two minds as to whether to write this wine up, for it somehow seems against the intent of the wine, but as some marketing blurb for the wine goes: "no pretension, no rules", so bugger it, I'll do what I want. Comes in 500ml hand grenade; spends 14 days...

2015 / Moscato Giallo

Monday, 20 February 2017

Trossen Spätburgunder Rosé 2015

12:52 Stu.

Funky, yeasty, barnyard meets toffee Apple, wild strawberry. Certainly on the more interesting of where you often find Rosé. Soft and delicate, it springs a surprise with a burst of berry energy and spike of acidity. There's a minerally, quartz-like energy to the wine,...

2105 / Germany / Mosel / pinot noir

Friday, 17 February 2017

d'Arenberg Ironstone Pressings GSM 2013

12:30 Stu.

As per the wine's title, a blend: Grenache (67%), Shiraz (28%) and a cameo from Mataro (5%). A cracking return to form. Earth, sweet crusted red fruit, cinnamon. Medium-full bodied, significant presence of red fruit, deeper bassy note (go Mataro!); powdery, chalky tannin...

2013 / grenache / Mataro et al / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Yelland & Papps Sete Di Vino 2015

08:30 Stu.

A blend of Primitivo (59%) and Barbera 51%. Savoury, roasted nuts, meat, fennel - certainly Italianate. Medium-full, juicy, soft and cushioned in the mouth, a fair gobful of mixed berries backed up with a dark, savoury vein. Plummy hoi sin, black cherry -...

2015 / Barbera / McLaren Vale / Primitivo

Thursday, 16 February 2017

Bremerton Coulthard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

12:30 Stu.

Classic cassis, mulberry, a dusting of seasoning lifting proceedings. Full bodied, has the plushness of fruit bound up with Oak. Classy entry level Cabernet without breaking the bank. 89 Tasted on: Monday 24th October, a Fruit day Source: Sample Price:...

2014 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Langhorne Creek

Wirra Wirra The Absconder Grenache 2015

08:30 Stu.

Pure, fresh - Cherry, raspberry prime centre. It gives suggestion to the style that will present itself. Light, elegant, free from artifice. Red fruit, juicy acidity, fine-grained and sandy tannin that provides the structure. Gentle length, finishes...

2015 / grenache / McLaren Vale

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 1.5m Chardonnay 2015

12:30 Stu.

2003 Saw the removal of some part of the Tiers vineyard, to be replanted to Bernard clones 95 and 96 with close planting of 1.5m, the fruiting wire just 0.5m above the ground. Just 200 dozen made. Florals, citrus, quince, ripe stonefruit. Mealy with a suggestion of...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay / Single Vineyard

Wirra Wirra The Angelus Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

08:30 Stu.

This is a superb release, even in youth where it's still somewhat jangly, it still brims with positivity and intent, and you can just see how the beautiful fruit will integrate over time. Smells beautiful from the get go: a very blue and purple release backed up with...

2014 / Cabernet Sauvignon / McLaren Vale

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Yaldara Ruban Pinot Gris 2015

12:30 Stu.

The very word Chateau immediately conjures up images of the Loire Valley or the distinguished maison of Bordeaux. We oft overlook some of the stunning historical architecture that Australian wineries call home. Yaldara - meaning 'sparkling' in the local Aboriginal...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Pinot Gris

d'Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock Sparkling Chambourcin NV

08:30 Stu.

Historically a varietal Chambourcin, but now includes a splash of Shiraz and Graciano. Plenty on the nose: hibiscus, strawberry, cherry - plenty of red fruit. That carries through to the palate, it doesn't hold back, the strawberry if anything more prominent. It's...

Chambourcin / McLaren Vale / NV / Sparkling

Monday, 13 February 2017

La Bise 'Le Petite Frais' Rosé 2016

12:30 Stu.

'La Bise' (French for the kiss) is Tash Mooney's (ex-Fox Gordon) solo project. I can't avoid the temptation to talk of the kiss of strawberry (fraise) that leads here, fresh and fun in the glass. Delicate hints of spice waft from the glass, providing a little tickle for...

2016 / Adelaide Hills / Pinot Gris / Rosé / sangiovese / Tempranillo

Tim Adams Mr Mick Rosé 2016

08:30 Stu.

Pretty, floral, underlying hint of musk. Berries, aromatic spice. Has an appeal, a pleasant come unto me way. Clean, fresh, raspberry cordial; good reach of acidity. Pleasant. 88 Tasted on: Wednesday 21st September, a Fruit to Root day Source: Sample Price:...

2016 / Clare Valley / Rosé / sangiovese

Sunday, 12 February 2017

Deakin Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2015

15:30 Stu.

Delicate on the aromatics here, a rarity with the oft overt, pungent variety. Suggestion of honeydew, under-ripe citrus, snow pea hints - akin to a Vermentino even. Tropical fruits abound on the palate, maintains a balance between fresh and tart, with a little phenolic...

2015 / Murray Darling / Sauvignon Blanc

Angullong Sauvignon Blanc 2015

08:30 Stu.

Previous vintages have been well received on these pages, Angullong being a pretty keen player in the Orange region with the variety. Fresh and really leaping out of the glass here. This one slipped to the back of the sample pile, so whilst the winery has moved onto the...

2015 / Orange / Sauvignon Blanc

Saturday, 11 February 2017

d'Arenberg 'Broken Fishplate' Sauvignon Blanc 2016

16:18 Stu.

Having avowed Sauv Blanc lovers over for dinner affords a great opportunity to clear a backlog of Savvies that may reside on the bench. Gooseberry, balancing underlying tropicals with that that grassy, herbal twang. Gives a bit of a nasal twitch, that almost spirited...

2016 / Sauvignon Blanc

Wednesday, 8 February 2017

Wirra Wirra Mrs Wigley Moscato 2016

15:26 Stu.

Quite delicate on the aromatics. Touches of florals, pomegranate seed. Carries the sweetness on entry you'd expect. Citrus, mineral, elements of spritz. OK length. Better quality than most Moscato 89 Tasted on: Saturday 22nd October, a Flower to...

2016 / McLaren Vale / Moscato

Bremerton Selkirk Shiraz 2014

08:22 Stu.

Plum, pepper, hints of meats. Thick, chewy, layered palate. Berry fruit, spice - Good honest Shiraz, if seemingly simply in its compote-like approach. Pretty generous in length mind. Good job. 89 Tasted on: Thursday 20th October, a Root to Flower day Source:...

2014 / Langhorne Creek / Shiraz

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Murray Street Vineyards 'The Barossa' GSM 2014

09:30 Stu.

A blend of Barossa Grenache (47%), Shiraz (30%) and Mataro (23%). Chocolate, malt, Black Forest gateaux-esque Kirsch. 'The Barossa' by name, by nature. Thick, chewy, touch of milkshake in consistency. Mid-palate warmth, spice, choc-berry goodness. Sets out...

2014 / Barossa Valley / grenache / Mataro et al / Shiraz

Monday, 6 February 2017

Pertaring 'Scarecrow' Sauvignon Blanc 2016

12:35 Stu.

Certainly more in the tropical spectrum than it's stablemate the 'K1 by Geoff Hardy'. This one just had me thinking of those soft, fleshy tropical fruits - thinking Papaya, green mango, a little citrus for added refreshment. Somewhat lively, zesty, minerally palate - almost...

2016 / Adelaide / Sauvignon Blanc

K1 by Geoff Hardy Sauvignon Blanc 2016

08:30 Stu.

Softer, gentler representation from the region of this much maligned variety. There's a little of the underlying herbal twang, but that's offset with a mix of gooseberry, fresh citrus, passionfruit and even a suggestion of blackcurrant leaf. Gentle hands. Bolder palate...

2016 / Adelaide Hills / Sauvignon Blanc

Sunday, 5 February 2017

Bremerton Special Release Mourvédre 2014

16:30 Stu.

Brambly, hints of florals - violets - redolent of purple and blue. Touch of baking spice in the background. Palate is polished, carrying a bit of new oak sheen. Savoury, spicy - it builds beyond the entry to reveal a wine somewhat more substantive than it initially...

#ProjectMataro / 2014 / Langhorne Creek / Mataro et al

Bremerton Special Release Lagrein 2014

09:00 Stu.

Leathery, leafy, background plum and mulberry - wrestling for position behind the soft, comforting, sweet-spicy oak. It's a riotous, joyous mix of black fruit, seasoning, spice. Has inherent depth, juxtaposed against an ease, a no-nonsense-just-drink-me-please sense. Good...

Saturday, 4 February 2017

Murray Street Vineyards Semillon 2016

15:00 Stu.

Citrus, lemon butter, a little white floral. Gentle citrus on entry, before a sharp acidity. It's really all about the lemon, gentle length on this one - drying on the length. A great luncheon wine, perfect entree. 90 Tasted on: Friday 14th October,...

2016 / Barossa Valley / Semillon

Pertaringa ‘Rampart’ Vintage Fortified 2015

10:00 Stu.

A blend of Shiraz and Grenache from McLaren Vale that just exudes these dense, heady choc-cherry-raspberry aromatics, the kind that you want to just want to just sink your head into, seeking solace and comfort as its aromatics envelope you. It’s like liquid black forest...

Friday, 3 February 2017

Lerida Estate Lake George Pinot Noir 2014

15:00 Stu.

Sour Cherry, dark and mulchy, smoky oak and seasoning. Good Pinosity. Juicy, acidic, the aromatics don't flow on the palate in the manner one would hope. Seems somewhat flat, dry. Lacks the finesse of what would be a better example. 87 Tasted on: Thursday 29th...

2014 / Canberra District / pinot noir

Gartelmann 'Benjamin' Hunter Valley Semillon 2016

09:01 Stu.

Herb and citrus rendition of this Hunter Valley stalwart. There's a little something sweeter in the background too. Energetic citrus on the onset of the wine, the requisite acid of this early picked variety that will serve it well in years to come. Calms down...

2016 / Hunter Valley / Semillon

Thursday, 2 February 2017

Tonic Wines Mataro 2015

16:30 Stu.

Tonic Wines is a little side label of love for industry pros Glenn Barry and Dan Coward. Both hold senior roles within their respective companies, and their paths crossed at Lion/ Fine Wine Partners. This Mataro - long since sold out ex-winery - sits well within a growing...

Gartelmann 'Wilhelm' Hunter Valley Shiraz 2014

12:28 Stu.

Underlying savoury hints, with a black fruit topping sitting nicely over things. Hints of vanilla oak add a final layer. Medium bodied, sweet fruit tinged, a juicy representation. Perfect mid-week libation. 90 Tasted on: Tuesday 27th September,...

2014 / Hunter Valley / Shiraz

Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Tim Adams Mr Mick Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2014

12:30 Stu.

Ripe sweet plum, juicy blackberry, gum leaf. Smooth, sweet, a little menthol rolls around the palate - its easy going, black fruited ways all backed up with a little pastille hardness. Good going, nothing complex, en point for the price. Solid. 88 Tasted...

2014 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Clare Valley / Merlot

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