March 2017 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Friday, 31 March 2017

Angullong Fossil Hill Barbera 2015

14:30 Stu.

Barbera is an unusual one, finding it's home in Italy's Piedmont, it can also be found in pockets amongst a diverse range of Australian wine regions, from Queensland, through to Vic's King Valley and so on. This example from Orange in NSW sees 20% whole berries and 25%...

2015 / Barbera / Orange

La Bise Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2016

08:30 Stu.

Gently spiced, apple and skins. Textural, powdery, even talcum like. Bruised apple on the back palate. Decent finish - carrying that apple long. 90 Tasted on: Wednesday 7th December, a Flowerday Source: Sample Price: $22 Alcohol: 13.2% Closure: Screwcap Website: https://labisewines.com.au Follow...

2016 / Adelaide Hills / Pinot Gris

Toolangi Pinot Noir 2015

08:30 Stu.

There are three classifications of wines within the Toolangi portfolio: 'Toolangi', Estate and Reserve. Different blocks off the vineyard receive different viticultural inputs, here the 'Toolangi' Pinot Noir is cropped marginally higher than that for the Estate range,...

2015 / pinot noir / Yarra Valley

Thursday, 30 March 2017

K1 by Geoff Hardy Middle Hill Shiraz 2015

14:30 Stu.

Speaks of fruit and of savoury notes at once. Of juicy, plump black fruit backed up with savoury hedgerow, possible whole bunch inclusion (5-10% tops). It's elegant, cool, bordering on a little smokiness. Medium bodied, silken threaded, chains of gossamer...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Shiraz

Pig in the House Shiraz 2016

08:30 Stu.

Smells every inch its youthful, primary self. Berry driven, hints of spice, I might even suggest it comes off of sandy soil - I could be wrong, it sometimes happens - it just has that very expressive nature I often see in sandy sites. More of the same on the...

#Organic / 2016 / Cowra / Shiraz

Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Shaw Vineyard Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2015

16:30 Stu.

Post tasting formalities, this was fair demolished round our way. Whilst my formal 'critique' doesn't rate this as a classically good wine, consumption of it spoke otherwise and just goes to show that a rating does not necessarily equate to drinkability. Citrus and...

2015 / Canberra District / Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon

Airlie Bank Cabernet Franc 2016

11:33 Stu.

A recent trip to the Yarra Valley had me yearning for some of the alternative varieties that are on the rise there. Whilst known for the excellence of those Burgundian stalwarts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it's often the road less travelled that excites me! Airlie Bank...

2016 / Cabernet Franc / Yarra Valley

Thursday, 23 March 2017

Pacha Mama Riesling 2015

11:07 Stu.

Somewhat daft name IMO, supposedly inspired by a trip to Chile and named after an Incan goddess. Perhaps showing my age, but it sounds more like it was named after a young strumpet who conceived at an Ibizan nightclub. Made by winemaking legend Don Lewis. Refined...

2015 / Central Victoria / riesling

Wednesday, 22 March 2017

Windowrie The Mill Shiraz 2015

14:30 Stu.

Won top gong at the NSW Wine Awards. Cloven spice, herbal, fresh and fragrant. Smells at once both serious, yet also playful and inviting. Mid-weight, more of the herb and spice laid out across the palate. The spice if anything, builds further. Some drying...

2015 / Cowra / Shiraz

La Bise Adelaide Hills Tempranillo 2014

08:30 Stu.

New-ish label from Tash Mooney (ex-Fox Gordon and BVE) flying solo and gaining some traction and following. Deservedly. Tobacco, Blueberry, Vanilla, cherry compote. Good Tempranillo thus far. Elegant, medium bodied manifestation of a Wine. Hints of oak....

2014 / Adelaide Hills / Tempranillo

Tuesday, 21 March 2017

K1 Brut NV

16:30 Stu.

Distinct blush on pour, not labelled a Rosè and yet you'd be hard to call it anything but. Underlying wild strawberry with bready, brioche hints sitting above. Strawberry, red berry fruits across the palate - a touch more sweetness present. Clean, a...

Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay / NV / pinot noir / Sparkling

Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay 2015

13:05 Stu.

An impressive site, and sight, the Tiers Vineyard. Planted back in Brian Croser's beloved Picadilly Valley back in 1979. If you're ever in the Hills, do ensure you take time to visit the cellar door and soak in the view back toward the drive you came down. Peach, figgy,...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay / Single Vineyard

Monday, 13 March 2017

Mount Avoca Lagrein 2015

08:30 Stu.

Back in August 2016, Mount Avoca received organic accreditation across its entire winemaking progress. This applies to eight wines - that can be officially marked as organic - including this Limited Release Lagrein. Baked raspberry, cherry, plum. Italianate herbal tinges. Fresh,...

#Organic / 2015 / Lagrein / Pyrenees

Sunday, 12 March 2017

Rob Hall Harriet's Vineyard Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2015

08:30 Stu.

Harriet being (winemaker) Rob Hall's Mother, who has taken to caring for, and nurturing, this vineyard planted on the property back in 1996. Savoury elements hint at selective whole bunch inclusion (5%), with plenty of fruit including cherry and rosehip making...

2015 / pinot noir / Yarra Valley

Saturday, 11 March 2017

Katnook Founder's Block Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling NV

08:30 Stu.

Coonawarra bubbles, an 80/20 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir respectively. Baked goods, stonefruit preserve, a little honeyed edge. Soft entry, segues to a gentle minerality. Buttery pastry, nicely balanced against fruit/subtle savoury. Gentle crispness,...

Chardonnay / Coonawarra / NV / pinot noir / Sparkling

Friday, 10 March 2017

Mount Avoca Limited Release Sangiovese 2015

08:30 Stu.

Berry aromatics - lifted spice and herbal tinges. I served this too warm which accentuated spirited notes on the aromatic profile. Soft, rounded palate - hints of vanilla gently introduce themselves on what turns out to be a rather long, spice tinged finish. Berry...

2015 / Pyrenees / sangiovese

Thursday, 9 March 2017

Miraflores Methode Ancienne Syrah 2012

11:00 Stu.

Miraflores is located up in California's Sierra Foothills, in the original gold rush country. About 2.5 hours from San Francisco, just a little further east of state capital Sacramento, the Tuscan inspired winery seems a million miles from that tech-centric global icon. 'Methode...

2012 / California / El Dorado / Fair Play / Syrah / USA

Wednesday, 8 March 2017

Hither & Yon Petit Blanc 2016

14:30 Stu.

McLaren Vale Muscat Blanc á Petit Grains (to be precise), that was grafted from Riesling in '81. An expressly aromatic wine that carries Rosewater clearly, a little muskiness with softer tropical aromatics linger furtively. Gentle entry, with acid that shakes...

2016 / McLaren Vale / Muscat Blanc

d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2013

08:30 Stu.

d'Arenberg's 2013 icon releases have been a stunning return to form. Whilst previous releases (see: Ironstone Pressings, Coppermine Road, Dead Arm) have been good, they - for me - have not quite nudged the Very Good/ Excellent realms. I've oft wondered - and as excellent...

2013 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Tuesday, 7 March 2017

Huntington Estate Semillon 2016

14:30 Stu.

Lemon sherbet/barley aromatics, dried grass/straw. Semillon's calling card. Quite a subtle interpretation. Yes there's acid on the back, not quite the electrifying, battery acid oft seen in many examples. There's a little textural nuance through the middle,...

2016 / Mudgee / Semillon

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava Heredad

08:30 Stu.

Wingara was formed in 1967 and is the Parent company of brands like famed Coonawarra producer Katnook. Wingara is itself owned by Spanish producer Freixenet, the world's largest sparkling winemaker! This Reserva - resplendent in a Gothic inspired bottle - sits on lees...

Cava / Macabeo / NV / Spain / Sparkling

Monday, 6 March 2017

Hither & Yon Shiraz 2016

18:57 Stu.

McLaren Vale Shiraz with a cheeky 6% Malbec - the first crop for the H&Y team after planting a hectare back in 2014 - added in to the equation. Very expressive, leaps from the glass in a very 'purple' explosion of flavour: cassis, violets, veering to a little choc-wafer...

2016 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

d'Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

08:30 Stu.

Oft been my pick of the d'Arenberg icons, tho' I think the impressive Ironstone Pressings may have pipped it in this release (even if the scores are in the same ballpark). Has the usual mix of the cedary oak, but overriding - and really not able to escape from - the...

2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon / McLaren Vale

Sunday, 5 March 2017

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2013

10:09 Stu.

A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, 56/44 respectively; spends 20m in Oak, all French and, of which, 90% is new. Why do I tell you this? Because, yes, the oak is here - 90% new French couldn't be avoided. It supports black cherry, mulberry, throws a coffee...

2013 / Cabernet Franc / Merlot / Wrattonbully

Thursday, 2 March 2017

Shaw Vineyard Estate Cuvée Sparkling 2015

16:39 Stu.

No variety or blend composition listed, but I couldn't escape the pungent aroma of the grassy, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc emanating from the glass. Creamy citrus softens the blow, adding an extra dimension here. [So much for my Sav-dar, it's all Semillon - tho I thought...

2015 / Canberra District / Semillon / Sparkling

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