June 2018 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Sunday, 24 June 2018

Chateau Mercian Ensemble Rosé 2015

12:51 Stu.

This is a blended Rosé, from primarily Merlot with a little Muscat Bailey A (not a grape I am familiar with). It appears to be a cross-regional blend with fruit drawn from both the Nagano (Japanese central Alpine region) and Yamanashi Prefectures (East Central...

2015 / Japan / Merlot / Muscat Bailey A / Nagano / Rosé / Yamanashi

Friday, 22 June 2018

Higher Plane Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013

08:30 Stu.

Reserve selection of Cabernet Sauvignon. Spends 18 months in French Oak, even at 5 years that's still evident. Underneath that oak, it's a mix of Plum and olive skin, with thyme and bay herbal inflections. Fine quality to the palate, smooth as it glides...

2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Margaret River

Thursday, 21 June 2018

Rymill The Dark Horse Shiraz 2016

08:30 Stu.

There’s a sense of char here, pepper and black fruit sound the charge. It’s even a little leafy, dusty as it assaults the nasal cavity. More of that pepper on show through the palate. Not the most defined shape. Tannin a little coarse, reasonable length about it 89 Tasted...

2016 / Coonawarra / Shiraz

Wednesday, 20 June 2018

Margan Shiraz Mourvedre 2016

08:30 Stu.

Earth, meaty, a bit blood and bones. Good depth, lifted sweeter accents: Blueberry and violets. Certainly in that spectrum. Medium bodied, smooth and silken as it glides across the palate. Brings with it depth and a little structure. Flows well, delivering a good length. Perhaps a latent salinity peeking its head. My personal pick of the red releases from the vintage. 91 Tasted...

2016 / Hunter Valley / Mataro et al / Shiraz

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Ridgemill Estate the Lincoln Shiraz 2016

08:30 Stu.

Dense black fruit presenting itself here, it's almost fudge-like with a little oak framework and seasoning of pepper and baking spices. You cant escape the medium-bodied frame that is quintessentially Granite Belt, that combined with that fine, graphite tannin...

2016 / Granite Belt / Shiraz

Monday, 18 June 2018

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Chardonnay 2017

08:30 Stu.

The wine is rich on opening, expressive of both variety and winemaker's hand. Citrus, stonefruit and judicious barrel work all leave their imprint. The palate is expressive too, delicious peach juice cascades over the palate, supplemented by a little Vanilla and what seems like a delicate toffee. Elegance is one way of describing the wine, delicious another. Generous, yet subtle,...

2017 / Chardonnay / Mudgee

Sunday, 17 June 2018

Higher Plane Cabernet Merlot 2015

08:30 Stu.

Stated as a single vineyard wine, that either is rather large or certainly planted to a fruit salad of varieties given it's actually a blend of all of the classic Bordeaux varieties with the inclusion of Malbec (6%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot (1%), not...

2015 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Margaret River / Merlot

Saturday, 16 June 2018

Ferngrove Diamond Chardonnay 2016

08:30 Stu.

Rich and riper one here. The stone fruit is off the charts, fair assaulting the nasal cavity. Has the cream and wheat character, almost veering to a little butteryness. Settles on the palate, lavish vanilla and spice - well handled oak. It has a latter sense of lime...

2016 / Chardonnay / Great Southern

Friday, 15 June 2018

Tuck's Ridge Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2016

14:30 Stu.

Tuck's Ridge has recently been acquired by neighbouring Montalto Estate. Future wines will be overseen by the excellent, restless Simon Black. Interplay of savoury with the sweet here, initially deep and and perfumed, giving way to Rosella jam. It's not jammy, just a certain aromatic sweetness my lasting aromatic impression. Floral, red fruit riven through the middle. Oak and fruit sweetness....

2016 / Mornington Peninsula / pinot noir

Higher Plane The Messenger 2012

08:30 Stu.

This blend from Margaret River (50% Cabernet Sauvignon 24% Malbec, 12% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot) offer the full range of what are considered the traditional grape varieties of Bordeaux. At 6 years of age, it's certainly expressive, offering...

2012 / Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / Malbec / Margaret River / Merlot / Petit Verdot

Thursday, 14 June 2018

Huntington Estate Basket Dried Shiraz 2015

14:30 Stu.

Opens with something akin to a hickory smoke. It's certainly deep, dark and resinous. Pruney, a little residual Plum - the 'Basket Dried' refers to some rack drying to concentrate the flavours. Given some time, it starts taking on some fortified hints, caramel and sweet fruit. Black depths, firm and powdery tannin. Something like licorice running in threads across the palate. Certainly...

2015 / Mudgee / Shiraz

Terre a Terre Crayeres Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

08:30 Stu.

Includes a small addition (5%) of Cabernet Franc. Spends 8m in French oak, 35% of which is new, it's then racked off to a 1y old foudre (large format barrel) for 14 months. Black olive, tobacco, sweeter perfume: lavender/ violets perhaps. Seems more...

2015 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Wrattonbully

Wednesday, 13 June 2018

Ridgemill Estate Semillon 2017

14:30 Stu.

Severnlea's Ridgemill Estate joined a - slowly - growing group of winemakers producing a Semillon up on Queensland's Granite Belt region. Here, delicate grassy and citrus overtones, perhaps even a little nettle and even kiwi fruit. It's (winemaker) Peter McGlashan's homage to a Bordeaux blanc style, sees a little barrel ferment, lending texture and feel. Citrus is deliciously present, as is...

2017 / Granite Belt / Semillon

Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2016

08:30 Stu.

An exemplary Chardonnay. Need Shaw & Smith’s M3 warrant further introduction? Carries an initial richness, a mealy golden glow that emanates from glass over well pitched stone fruit. Well-rounded mouthful, offset against a suggestion of grapefruit zestiness and...

2016 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Terre a Terre Rosé 2017

14:30 Stu.

Second released of this particular wine from the Terre á Terre team. This 2017 instance from a warmer season. The wine is made from the pressings, being Chardonnay (44%) and Pinot Noir (56%). It was racked to old French Barrels for fermentation. Small addition of Pinot...

2017 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay / pinot noir / Rosé

Ridgemill Estate Joshua's Pup Shiraz Grenache 2016

08:30 Stu.

Grenache appears the dominant aromatic component here, at odds to its second billing, here leading with that robust raspberry coulis like note, bolstered by black cherry. There's a smidge of earth and oak, as if to provide a framework for supporting the aromatics. Nicely...

Monday, 11 June 2018

Higher Plane Chardonnay Forest Grove 2017

14:30 Stu.

Poised, balanced, it sits just-so on the palate, at ease and with itself. A mere spread of texture, lends a little weight and width. Grapefruit acids and a squeeze of lemon deliver a delicate length, a gentle tug and pull. Delightfully seasoned oak here on this Chardonnay...

2017 / Chardonnay / Margaret River

Natural Wine Co Shiraz 2017

08:30 Stu.

I find wines like this a pleasure to drink. Very easy going, no-nonsense. What they lack in complexity, they make up in sheer drinkability. Pours a vibrant purple, not quite mega. Smells primary, raw; redolent of stems, veering to a little meatier quality. Soft...

Sunday, 10 June 2018

Margan Shiraz 2016

14:30 Stu.

Chocolate and nutty oak with residual hints of black fruit sitting within. Rich and ripe style. The chocolate and plummy fruit sit squarely at the heart of the wine. It's just that medium almost veering to full of body, a touch of earth and just there acidity. Nicely...

2016 / Hunter Valley / Shiraz

Turkey Flat Rosé 2017

08:43 Stu.

Long sold out ex-winery, you can still find this kicking around the retail circuit at/about the $20 mark. Dusky red Berry deliciousness here, sprinkle of spice in the background. Creaminess oozes across the palate, the red Berry fruit makes its presence known. Dry...

2017 / Barossa Valley / grenache / Rosé

Saturday, 9 June 2018

The Natural Wine Co Rosé 2017

14:50 Stu.

Summer accents are evident here. It's easy to consider Rosé simply a 'Summer' drink; lazy too I'd add - particularly in my home of Brisbane where daytime Winter temps clock in to the low 20s. But, for many, it is. And certainly where strawberry and rose scents are as...

#Organic / 2017 / Central Ranges / Rosé

Friday, 8 June 2018

Higher Plane Fiano 2017

14:30 Stu.

Oozes fresh pear, uncertain as to whether that's Beurre Bosc or William. What's a variety between friends and grapes? There's some supplementary spice sitting in the background. Generous texture across the breadth of the palate. A balanced mix of pear, citrus,...

2017 / Fiano / Margaret River

Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz 2016

10:30 Stu.

Robust Shiraz from McLaren Vale, as solid as Trott's 'Woodhenge', except this is fruit driven rather than wood. It carries the McLaren Vale signature, writ-large: all black fruit and heady and earthen lines. Full, chewy palate, black fruit in abundance, twists...

2016 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Thursday, 7 June 2018

Margan Tempranillo Graciano Shiraz 2016

14:30 Stu.

Dark and perhaps a little dank. Wood and woody spice, a suggestion of forest floor. Palate at odds to this, softer and rather more sensuous. Fruit accents, lending a rounder profile through the middle. Lacks a little definition, not altogether unsurprising given the...

2016 / Graciano / Hunter Valley / Shiraz / Tempranillo

Toolangi Chardonnay 2016

08:30 Stu.

I like Toolangi's MO, namely - as I see it - to look after the fruit and then to contract the best winemakers across the Yarra region to make the best wine out of it. It evokes a golden aura and aroma, creamy and wheaten. There's grilled stonefruit with, what's...

2016 / Chardonnay / Yarra Valley

Wednesday, 6 June 2018

Toppers Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2015

14:30 Stu.

A blend of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc. A little muskiness, Nashi pear, beurre bosc, citrus nuances, golden notes, suggestion of thyme, perhaps, the Gewürztraminer leading this one. Marries texture to acidity, flesh and...

2015 / Chardonnay / Gewürztraminer / New England / Petit Manseng / Sauvignon Blanc

Tapanappa Cabernet Shiraz 2014

08:30 Stu.

Lots of new French oak, 90% in fact. It's 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance being 15% Shiraz. Tobacco, cassis, oak; rich and ripe - sense of fullness to the body, brooding and of impressive stature. That said, it feels light on entry, with spice, wood,...

2014 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz / Wrattonbully

Tuesday, 5 June 2018

Ferngrove Independence Shiraz 2017

17:33 Stu.

[with a touch of Pinot Noir] Mash of black fruit, briary/hedgerow, a mere suggestion of stemmy funkiness. Sweeter accents of entry, blackcurrant pastilles and hints of cherry. Pretty solid, fine rub of tannin. Solid drinking proposition. 89 Tasted on:...

2017 / Great Southern / Shiraz

Monday, 4 June 2018

Huntington Estate Chardonnay 2017

14:30 Stu.

Peach and a smattering of cantaloupe melon lead this one out of the glass. Smells a little ‘green’, over a golden edge - yes I do believe that colour smells. Nice weight, presence on entry; golden, creamy almost treacly in aspects. Doesn’t carry the conviction of better...

2017 / Chardonnay / Mudgee

Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 1.5m Chardonnay 2016

08:45 Stu.

Despite, in-spite, because of - who knows - this coming from a vintage that challenged, one that Brian Croser commented as: "uncharted territory for me even after 47 vintages”; this is exquisite Chardonnay. The Tiers has, rightly, established itself as one of (if not the)...

2016 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

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