June 2017 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Thursday, 29 June 2017

Quartz Hill Pyrenees Shiraz 2014

16:30 Stu.

Bit of a stink on opening: reductive in nature with a bit of meaty pan juice action. Medium bodied. Any palate weight is overlooked with the assault of flavours that are presented immediately. Clove, anise, pepper - a classic marker of the cool Pyrenees. Inherently...

2014 / Pyrenees / Shiraz

Old Jarvie The Enforcer Shiraz Mataro Malbec 2016

12:30 Stu.

The Mulberry and Plummy signature of the leading red varieties sing here. Twists of herb, florals, a suggestion of anise. Medium bodied veering to full with a chewy, chocolatey body. Subtle cocoa powder tannins coat the mouth, providing a guide for a decent length of...

2016 / Malbec / Mataro et al / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Gartelmann Diedrich Shiraz 2014

08:30 Stu.

Interesting one here. From the famed/ regarded/ insert superlative of choice, Hunter 2014 vintage, yet they winery saw fit to supplement things with the addition of a some Clare fruit. Not the first Hunter to appreciate some of Clare's charm I'm sure. Carries some grunt,...

2014 / Clare Valley / Hunter Valley / Shiraz

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

Quartz Hill Mencia 2016

16:30 Stu.

Good to see the number of producers of Mencia in Australia on the increase. Not the strongest aromatic game here, not from a fruit perspective at least. Then, Mencia is like that. If anything, watermelon, again not the strongest fruit aromatically. Aromatics...

2016 / Mencia / Pyrenees / Rosé

Mr Riggs Cold Chalk Chardonnay 2015

14:30 Stu.

You get the sense this is going to be somewhat bigger in style, with peach and vanilla aromatics buoyed by some gentle oak spice. Substantive feel with more spice presence. Vanilla and cream oak really add up to a significant presence in the mouth. It's...

2016 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Margan White Label Semillon 2016

08:30 Stu.

It was a wet December/January in the Hunner, consequently the grapes were left on the vine through February to dry and restore balance. Citrus, hints of kumquat- bordering on what be considered little botrytis aroma. Stonefruit, rounds out the ripeness on show....

2016 / Hunter Valley / Semillon

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Gartelmann 'Jonathan' Mudgee Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

16:30 Stu.

Fudgee, Mudgee, more of the dusky, somewhat dusty line, with plum and mulberry. Pretty, ripe, pretty ripe. Carries a good cassis, semi-floral air to proceedings. You can't mistake it for anything but Cabernet, albeit with the freshness and juice. Easy going...

2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Mudgee

Huntington Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

14:30 Stu.

Classic Cabernet, unmistakably so: has that just ripe cassis/mulberry at its heart, surrounded by a leafy tobacco and bay outer, a suggestion of green olive skin. Carries an elegance, bordering on lightness. Good carry of fine tannin, persistent in the way that it coats...

2012 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Mudgee

Zonte's Footstep Avalon Tree Fleurieu Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

08:30 Stu.

Leaf, tobacco, bay - touch of gum. It's kinda Autumnal, when the deciduous trees are shedding their leafery, dropping to the ground and drying up. I used to love walking through such piles of gathered leaves. Dusty, spiced, fair gobfuls of flavour. Not the most...

2014 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Fleurieu Peninsula

Monday, 26 June 2017

Alkimi Good Earth Syrah 2015

16:30 Stu.

Off the Warramunda Vineyard in the Yarra Valley's Coldstream sub-district. The terroir evident through judicious use of whole bunch. An approach that initially comes to characterise this wine. Time and perhaps air soften that herbal, sapid note. That's not to say...

2015 / Single Vineyard / Syrah / Yarra Valley

Yelland & Papps Second Take Mataro 2016

14:30 Stu.

The whole bunch toned back a touch this vintage (73% versus last year's 100%). Spends 17 days on skins, 9m in barrel (100% French, 23% new). Sent to bottle unfiltered and unfined. That whole bunch inclusion here adds a savoury background to the kirsch like notes sitting...

#ProjectMataro / 2016 / Barossa Valley / Mataro et al

Soumah Hexham Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016

08:30 Stu.

'Soumah' is so named in a manner akin to one of those trendy New York neighbourhoods (like SoHo or TriBeCa), its name being derived from an abbreviation and concatenation of SOUth of MAroonda Highway. That particular highway being a major thoroughfare in the region, connecting...

2016 / pinot noir / Yarra Valley

Sunday, 25 June 2017

Margan White Label Chardonnay 2016

16:30 Stu.

This veritably leaps out of the glass, unequivocally Chardonnay. A lovely deep straw, you couldn't mistake it for anything but what it is. Power-packed peach and something like a toffeed, butterscotch flavour. It's bold, carries a tickle of spice and a gentle...

2016 / Chardonnay / Hunter Valley

Margan Shiraz Mourvèdre 2015

14:30 Stu.

Another field blend from Margan, where the two varieties are inter-planted and picked in-situ. Leathery, earthen, slight animale aroma, mixed with a little smokey caramelisation. Touch of malt-choc in the mix too. Medium bodied. Carries an initial fruit sweetness...

2015 / Hunter Valley / Mataro et al / Shiraz

Margan Tempranillo Graciano Shiraz 2015

08:33 Stu.

A field blend, so the exact quantities of each constituent part are somewhat unknown. Oak, plum, mulberry - more like the Shiraz - there's a little suggestion of the blue fruits, some earth and coffee. Bold and bright on aroma. Medium bodied, soft,...

2015 / Graciano / Hunter Valley / Shiraz / Tempranillo

Saturday, 24 June 2017

Shaw Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

14:30 Stu.

Bit of mint, leaf, blackcurrant. Very fresh, youthful - interesting for a 4 year old. Medium bodied, vibrant, fresh. Not much of substance, more about fruit. Gummy flavours. Fairly short - bit like this note - on length, but good fun. 88 Tasted on:...

2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Canberra District

Huntington Estate Block Three Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

08:26 Stu.

Strong capsicum aromas, bordering on a little greenness; tomato leaf, herbal. Savoury on entry, scorched earth, licorice - varietal? A little mulberry, cassis - is this a warmer year? Slightly chocolatey, mud cake even. Slight concerns over varietal character...

2012 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Mudgee

Friday, 23 June 2017

Alkimi The Good Earth Marsanne 2016

08:30 Stu.

Good to see Yarra Marsanne on offer at a fairly affordable price, it’s something I think of as being at least north of $30. The aromatics here are fairly intriguing: cut fennel, honeyed florals for sure, but also backed up with a liberal sprinkling of exotic spice....

2016 / Marsanne / Yarra Valley

Thursday, 22 June 2017

Yelland & Papps Devote Greenock Shiraz 2015

16:53 Stu.

Sees a bit of American oak action too. Unusual for the brand, if not the region or variety. Rich, dense, black fruit compote - Greenock on the Western fringes of the Barossa is known for this rich, almost chocolatey style. Bit auto-suggestive, but it's somewhat akin...

2015 / Barossa Valley / Greenock / Shiraz

Wednesday, 14 June 2017

Katnook Estate Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

14:30 Stu.

Spending 24 months in predominantly French barriques, of which 35% new. Vinification that lends character to this Coonawarra icon. That time under oak shows and dominates the wine in this early youth. Glimpses of fruit peek out from the under the wooden shroud. Majorly...

2012 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Coonawarra

Highland Heritage Patrono Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

08:30 Stu.

Second of a pair (Shiraz review here) of flagship wines for Highland Heritage Estate, marking the 70th anniversary of the d'Aquino family and their involvement in winemaking in Orange. Clove, some kalamata olive skin in the mix, peanut shell, a little greenness, sandalwood...

2015 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Orange

Tuesday, 13 June 2017

Highland Heritage Estate Shiraz 2015

14:30 Stu.

First of a pair of flagship wines for Highland Heritage Estate, marking the 70th anniversary of the d'Aquino family and their involvement in winemaking in Orange, the first such winemaking operation in the region. Heritage indeed. Cool climate Shiraz exhibited here,...

2015 / Orange / Shiraz

Katnook Prodigy Shiraz 2012

08:30 Stu.

"Taste Me, Taste Me! Succumb to me, Succumb to me!" ~ Prodigy, Serial Thrilla I just find it hard not to think of Brit electro-dance mob 'Prodigy' in relation to this wine. Anyway, the wine in question spends a whopping 25 months in French and American, of...

2012 / Coonawarra / Shiraz

Monday, 12 June 2017

Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2015

14:30 Stu.

Powerhouse of a Chardonnay, has an edge of complexity, subtle citrus and stonefruit, meal and cashew creaminess. The complete package backed up with oak derived spice. Doesn't disappoint here either: flinty complexity, fruit presence too, balanced acidity, giving...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Yelland and Papps Second Take Roussanne 2016

08:30 Stu.

Spends 9.5m in old French oak; sent to bottle unfined/ unfiltered - ergo is (even if accidentally) Vegan friendly. Honeysuckle, honeydew, suggestion of pineapple even. White florals, somewhat estery - in a good way - biscuity and a faint whiff of nuts. In many ways...

#Vegan / #Vegetarian / 2016 / Barossa Valley / Roussanne

Sunday, 11 June 2017

Alkoomi Wandoo Semillon 2013

14:30 Stu.

Very much enjoy what the Alkoomi team do. Generally consistest, certainly a quality producer. The tyranny of distance of the Great Southern region doing nothing to quell their intent and approach to making fantastic wines. Here, a four year old Semillon sits grassy...

2013 / Great Southern / Semillon

Shaw Vineyard Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2016

08:30 Stu.

Blend of two: 85% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc. Lime, lemongrass, freshness personified. Buttery menthol. Passionfruit, touch of blackcurrant leaf, citrus; fresh, rounded, touch of zest and mineral. Little truncated bitterness at the back end, a minor distraction...

2016 / Canberra District / Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon

Saturday, 10 June 2017

Alkoomi Jarrah Shiraz 2011

14:30 Stu.

Released on 1st April - no fools at Alkoomi - as a 6yo. Cassis, a little smokey and oaky, there's to be a little Viognier in the mix for sure? Vibrancy in glass, plus a freshness that belies its 6y Medium bodied, great structure, still with superb fine tannin, black...

2011 / Great Southern / Shiraz

Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz 2015

08:30 Stu.

Smells like a darn fine Vale Shiraz in the vanguard. Yes it's rich, ripe, with blackcurrant and fudgey, choc goodness in spades. Thick, chewy, the blackcurrant is present on the palate, lending prettiness against a substantive backdrop of that full-bodied nature....

2015 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Friday, 9 June 2017

Gartelmann Verdelho 2016

14:30 Stu.

Overflowing with the fruit salad aromatics that Verdelho is renowned for: the full range of tropical fruit spectrum, calling out some candied pineapple for special mention. You might expect sweetness on the palate, there's some and yet it's balanced with a...

2016 / Hunter Valley / Verdelho

Thursday, 8 June 2017

Alkoomi Blackbutt Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

14:30 Stu.

"The Blackbutt is a fine tuned blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Malbec (14%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Merlot (1%) from the oldest blocks of estate grown fruit." Unsure of the release strategy here, but it is sent to market as a seven year old wine. Subtlety...

2010 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Great Southern

Wirra Wirra 12th Man Chardonnay 2016

08:30 Stu.

A bit more about this vintage of the 12th Man. See here for a couple of previous reviews. Subtle changes to the 12th man over the years, here more of the stonefruit, citrus and grapefruit freshness than the oak and meal of yore. Still retains this vanilla creaminess. Fairly...

2016 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

08:30 Stu.

Enjoys a bit of time in wood, seeing 13 months in 50% French (10% new) and 50% older American oak barriques. Coveys itself by way of choc-mintiness, leaf and oak. Classic Cabernet wearing its heart on its sleeve. Sweet fruited, pretty ripe to boot, long on flavour:...

2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Coonawarra

Wednesday, 7 June 2017

Zonte's Footstep Violet Beauregard Malbec 2015

14:30 Stu.

"It's amazing! Tomato soup, I can feel it running down my throat It's changing... roast beef and baked potato. Crispy skin and butter!" ~ Violet Beauregard, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Well, not quite. But it's certainly very vivid. Violet. Giving...

2015 / Langhorne Creek / Malbec

Zonte's Footsteps Canto di Lago 2015

08:30 Stu.

A trio of Italians in this blend, being Sangiovese (75%), Barbera (20%), and Lagrein (5%). Quite a powerful mix, sour cherry leads and provides significant aromatics to the wine. Pomegranate molasses, certainly something sweet and syrupy. Florals - a complex aromatic...

2015 / Barbera / Fleurieu Peninsula / Lagrein / sangiovese

Tuesday, 6 June 2017

Yelland & Papps Second Take Vermentino 2016

14:30 Stu.

Alright, I'm going to put my hairy ones on the line here: this is my favourite of the '16 second Take Releases. There, I said it. Sadly since Sold Out ex-Cellar Door. The numbers: Picked 19th February, spending a whopping 279 days on skins, bit of Wild ferment action,...

2016 / Barossa Valley / Vermentino

Yelland & Papps Second Take Shiraz 2016

08:30 Stu.

Usual story: Good use of whole bunch (65%), decent time on skins (11 days), with predominantly second use oak and older (100% French, 29% new). The Second Take Shiraz is in a good place in 2015. Smells blue, purple - expressive violets, fruits of the forest compote,...

2016 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Monday, 5 June 2017

Shaw + Smith Pinot Noir 2015

14:30 Stu.

I've since verily inhaled another bottle of this wine, purchased at Cellar Door. Apropos of nothing. Opens with a sweet/savoury mix, of stems and fruit, spice, earth. It invites, gets the nasal hairs twitching. Lighter than I'd expect, possibly a little thin,...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / pinot noir

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