2019 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Sunday, 15 December 2019

Aylesbury Estate Waterfall Gully Merlot 2018

16:00 Stu.

Black olive tapenade, Mediterranean herb, blackcurrant and hints of tobacco. Varietal and true Merlot from WA's Ferguson Valley. Full bodied, succulent, hints of sweeter - blackcurrant - edged fruit. Powdery, almost chalky, edged tannin. Depth of finish to the wine,...

2018 / Ferguson Valley / Geographe / Merlot

Wirra Wirra The Lost Watch Riesling 2019

08:30 Stu.

Lime, browning lime, lemons - a very citrus driven aroma. There's a very Asian mien to the aroma, if one can lazily 'lump' a suggestion of lemongrass and perhaps galangal together to claim such. A minerally tingle leads across the palate, brings the citrus in waves,...

2019 / Adelaide Hills / riesling

Saturday, 14 December 2019

d'Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

16:00 Stu.

Bright black and purple fruit, violets, hints of choc-mint with a savoury and cedary undertow. Classic High Trellis, hitting a spot. Medium bodied, powder fine tannin, a spike of freshening acidity that adds drive and verve. Made to a well worked formula...

2016 / Cabernet Sauvignon / McLaren Vale

d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2015

08:30 Stu.

Black fruit, by way of Plum and Mulberry. Something almost figgy at its core. Semblance of sweet black fruit on entry, segueing toward to a darker heart and what manifests as a savoury edge. Dark chocolate, pan juices even, exhibiting something more of a cooler clime...

2015 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz / Viognier

Friday, 13 December 2019

Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Shiraz 2018

16:00 Stu.

Sawdusty oak sitting over black fruit lurking beneath, certainly more savoury in intent in initial showing. Fruit more pronounced on the palate yet not without that pan juice, darker edge - it feels more Adelaide Hills than McLaren Vale, observation only. Darker, firmer...

2018 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Robert Stein Dry Riesling 2019

08:30 Stu.

As ever, a wonderfully fragrant example, all lemons and limes - hints of bath salt. Floral aspects in the aroma too, Jasmine primarily, just a hint of lavender. Taught line of acidity, snap and crackle across the palate, zing and zest. That burst of energy gently...

2019 / Mudgee / riesling

Thursday, 12 December 2019

Yalumba Wild Ferment Rosé 2019

16:30 Stu.

It's 42% Grenache (Barossa Valley), 42% Sangiovese (Barossa Valley) and 16% Verdejo (Eden Valley). White peach, subtle herb - thyme, rosemary perhaps - smattering of wild strawberry. Something like an amaro bitterness, again touch of herb through the palate,...

2019 / Barossa Valley / Eden Valley / grenache / Rosé / sangiovese / Verdejo

Aylesbury Estate Pater Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

08:30 Stu.

The Estate is named after the town of Aylesbury, from where the Gibbs family moved some 140-odd years ago. Ferguson Valley is part of the broader Geographe GI, tucked slightly inland, tucked up in WA's South-West corner. Prized dairy country, now producing some excellent...

2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Ferguson Valley / Geographe

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

La La Land Rosé 2019

16:30 Stu.

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, saignee method; all stainless. Berry lead, backing it up with a hint of the savoury, as is often the way with Pinot Noir! Palate lends more of the creamy, berry goodness, an acidic and bittering finish that pif being critical perhaps...

2019 / pinot noir / Rosé

Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay 2018

08:30 Stu.

Intoxicating. Perhaps the laziest descriptor there is. Yet, it conveys the allure of premium Adelaide Hills, the stonefruit and citrus aromatics supported by the nuances of premium oak that served - or stored - it so well. Initially subtle, of guile, yet it soon blossoms...

2018 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Tuesday, 10 December 2019

Wirra Wirra Mrs Wigley 2019

16:00 Stu.

Pretty, pot pourri like perfume, musk, wild berries and crushed candies. Crisp and phenolic, delicate powdery feel, juicy acidic presence, gives and pushes boundaries. Berry pitch continues long on the finish, the acid flow generous and yet refreshing. 91 Tasted...

2019 / grenache / McLaren Vale / Rosé

DAOSA Natural Reserve NV

08:30 Stu.

The 2017 tirage by numbers: Pinot Noir (82%) and Chardonnay (18%), from 2017 (81%) and older reserve wines (19%), so MV or non-vintage wine by technical definition. Here's the 2016 by comparison. Citrus, baked Quince, subtle oak remnants. Suggestions of something blackcurrant...

Chardonnay / NV / pinot noir / Sparkling

Monday, 9 December 2019

d'Arenberg Stephanie The Gnome With Rose Coloured Spectacles Rosé 2019

20:25 Stu.

Pouring a darker hue than the trend, as is Stephanie's wont. Cranberry, hints of toffee apple. Dry with an immediate punch of acid, as if to clear the palate for the modicum of fruit that sweeps across the palate; macerated strawberry and hints of citrus oil give the...

2019 / Cinsault / McLaren Vale / Rosé / sangiovese / Shiraz

Saturday, 7 December 2019

Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Chardonnay 2019

16:00 Stu.

A zesty, grapefruit and pith driven number. Lemon sherbet in a manner, fresh and at you, latterly stonefruit hints. It's all rather a come hither and fresh style. Zesty mineral, prickling across the palate, more of that lemon sherbet freshness. Not the lengthiest...

2019 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

d'Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling 2019

08:30 Stu.

Sadly there's more than a few dry dams around Queensland at present. Kaffir lime, lemongrass, browning lime juice - strong aromatic showing. A generous citrus driven acidic thrust, clean and glass like across the palate. Has plenty of zip and zesty presence, but...

2019 / Adelaide Hills / riesling

Friday, 6 December 2019

Juniper Estate Fiano 2019

16:00 Stu.

Canteloupe melon, Nashi pear, Vanilla and creamy nougat hints adding to the appeal. Spiced nuances, a fleshy fruit presence that positively grows in stature across the palate. There's a briny edge, citrus acidity that flows and carries the fruit long across the...

2019 / Fiano / Margaret River

Pirate Cru Sin of The Mermaid Rosé 2019

08:30 Stu.

A Bandol inspired Rosé, being 100% Mataro from the Barossa Valley. The inspiration doesn't stop with the variety alone, it being redolent of tangerine, orange peel and oil. So yes, it's certainly of its variety - and that's a good thing. Aromatics complete with a touch...

#ProjectMataro / #RoseRev / 2019 / Barossa Valley / Mataro et al / Rosé

Thursday, 5 December 2019

Gartelmann Sarah Elizabeth Chardonnay 2018

16:00 Stu.

Toasty, figgy oak meets stonefruit, drizzle of honey on grilled stonefruit. Deep, textural and long on flavour. There's depth and a succulence too; penetrating length that's seemingly perpetual. Rich, inviting, can easily see how at once it's both a crowd...

2018 / Chardonnay / Orange

Shaw Estate Reserve Semillon 2019

08:30 Stu.

A bright and nigh floral opening, lime, passionfruit and guava tropicals, hints of bath salt. The palate possesses both a depth of flavour and a zesty liveliness by virtue of a minerally tingle across the palate. Not without a probing line of citrus acidity, it...

2019 / Canberra District / Semillon

Wednesday, 4 December 2019

Angullong Fossil Hill Rosé 2019

18:02 Stu.

Rosé from Orange and made with Sangiovese grapes, often creates a delightful and savoury wine, this no exception. Strawberry, Turkish Delight, it seems dry just on aromatic intro. The palate, crisp and savoury, berry driven in the main, a vanilla cream aspect...

2019 / Orange / Rosé / sangiovese

Tuesday, 3 December 2019

Yalumba Y Series Pinot Grigio 2019

16:00 Stu.

Subtle orange oil and blossom, poached pear and delicate spice; pear conveys itself on the palate, honey nuances, spice adding a tickle of length. For a $15 retail ask it certainly ticks the boxes, of both variety and style. 87 Tasted on: Sunday 24th November,...

2019 / Pinot Grigio / South Australia

DAOSA Blanc de Blanc 2015

08:30 Stu.

Baked Quince, brioche, subtle spiced hints, of ginger and cinnamon. Latterly toasty, suggesting autolysis derived. Complex, is where I'm heading. Fine, pillowy entry, yet with an assertive line of acidity that adds length to leesy depth. A suggestion of baked...

2015 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay / Sparkling

Monday, 2 December 2019

Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2018

16:00 Stu.

Typically expressive example, of stone fruit and with added subtlety of florals and grapefruit like citrus. Palate shows zip and verve, an energy that gives the wine length and intensity of flavour. A textural spread adds width to the wine, providing a multi-dimensional...

2018 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Terre à Terre Down to Earth Sauvignon Blanc 2018

08:30 Stu.

Hand picked from the Crayères Vineyard in Wrattonbully. Fermented in both tank and large format French foudres and demi-muids (25% of the total). Certainly brighter, fruitier and fleshier than its more reserved and austere bigger brother in the portfolio (link),...

2018 / Sauvignon Blanc / Wrattonbully

Sunday, 1 December 2019

d'Arenberg The Money Spider Roussanne 2019

16:00 Stu.

Opens with this golden syrup, flax meal, honeyed offer that is sure to invite. A richer rounded palate, married to a minerally acidity and phenolic edge. Spiced nuances, ginger primarily, set against some dripping stonefruit flavours. Good carriage of flavour...

2019 / McLaren Vale / Roussanne

Gartelmann Benjamin Semillon 2018

08:30 Stu.

Re-sent for review following some strong showing on the show circuit. Good to see I'm reasonably consistent in my reviews. It's certainly fresh and I'd offer that is its primary appeal. It's all citrus and grass with an added layer of passionfruit for good measure. Acidity...

2018 / Hunter Valley / Semillon

Saturday, 30 November 2019

Mezzacorona Mezza NV

16:00 Stu.

Party fizz made up of 60% Chardonnay – 30% Pinot Bianco – 10% Muller Thurgau. Hints of pear, dribble of stonefruit - not the strongest in aromatics. Tickle of minerally acid across the palate, slightly unctuous and textural, whilst not lacking acid it's...

Chardonnay / Italy / Muller Thurgau / Pinot Blanc / Sparkling / Trentino

Harewood Estate Shiraz 2018

08:30 Stu.

Plum, earth, leather, hints of violet; subtle toast, warmth from alcohol; latent fruit beyond the intensity of the initial onset. Perhaps lacking some balance, a warmer and riper style from a cooler clime. Finish is moderate. 89 Tasted on: Tuesday 1st October,...

2018 / Great Southern / Shiraz

Friday, 29 November 2019

Aylesbury Estate Pater Series Chardonnay 2018

16:30 Stu.

Aylesbury Estate is located in Ferguson Valley GI, in the South-West corner of Western Australia. This Chardonnay oozes quality, hints of toasty oak married to figgy hints over suggestions of riper stonefruit. A burst of freshness meets a grapefruity zest and minerality,...

2018 / Chardonnay / Ferguson Valley

Angullong Pinot Grigio 2019

12:00 Stu.

Nashi pear, rock melon vibes, fresh and dribbling with juice of summery fruits. There's a minerally edge, Pear drop flavours ripple across the palate, textural and Minerally hints flow well. A style that Angullong generally nails well and in 2019 they've absolutely...

2019 / Orange / Pinot Grigio

Pirate Cru Imp's Old Vine Shiraz 2014

08:30 Stu.

Still throwing a fair whack of lumber on this one, it's big and brassy, still evident at five years of age. Fruit sits underneath, Barossan to its core, all mulberry and damson like, purple in its magnificence. There's a suppleness for all its heft. A succulent...

2014 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Thursday, 28 November 2019

I Am George Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

16:30 Stu.

Chocolate, cedar and blue/black fruit mix invite the imbiber in from the get go. Hints of gum leaf, bitter twists leading to twists of tannin. Lighter body than initial aspects might be suggestive. Latent licorice elements, reasonable length, 88 Tasted on: Wednesday...

2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Limestone Coast

Harewood Estate Mount Barker Riesling 2019

08:30 Stu.

Lemon, green papaya, hints of lavender - strength in aromatics on this fine Riesling from Mount Barker in Western Australia's Great Southern region. Depth and intensity, more than a match for the aromatics on the palate. On initial showing the strongest of the sub-regional...

2019 / Great Southern / Mount Barker / riesling

Wednesday, 27 November 2019

Mezzacorona Rosé Dolomiti 2018

16:00 Stu.

Turkish Delight, rose petal and macerated strawberry softness here. Dry, yet with a semblance of fruit sweetness, tickle of spice and minerality, acidity and body to provide a flourish and expanse of width and length. All things to many people, refreshment factor...

2018 / Alto-Adige / Lagrein / Trentino

Harewood Estate Pinot Noir 2019

08:30 Stu.

Soft and gentle red fruits: of cherry wild strawberry, a hint of cranberry. Light, a crunch of tannin and freshening acidity, a very soif style of Pinot Noir, thirst-quenchingly moreish. The kind of Pinot that one could annilihate in a moment, and that's very...

2019 / Denmark / Great Southern / pinot noir

Tuesday, 26 November 2019

Taylor's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

16:00 Stu.

Chocolate, cedar, wood spice - good aromatic and fresh intro. Blackcurrant, vanilla, twists of herb; splash of.acid for freshness. Moderate grain of tannin, herbal bitterness on the finish. Good wine, Clare Valley doing Cabernet well, as it can. 89 Tasted...

2018 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Clare Valley

Tim Adams Semillon 2017

08:30 Stu.

Vanilla creme, remnants of oak in support adding depth, something nougat and frangipane like in the mix. Citrus, perhaps mandarin, definite punch of acidity that pokes a hole through the palate. Suggestion of lime brulee, bringing the cream and aspects together...

2017 / Clare Valley / Semillon

Monday, 25 November 2019

Campo Vieja Rioja Gran Riserva 2012

16:30 Stu.

Needs time, air - slightly closed, reductive. The palate possesses what I love about Gran Riserva - so Gran Riserva wines require minimum 3 years aging, with at least one year in oak and six months in bottle - Tempranillo, the remnants of old oak bound up with silken tannins...

2012 / Rioja / Spain / Tempranillo

Ridgemill Estate Malbec Mourvèdre 2019

08:30 Stu.

Somewhat unusual blend, I can't recall too many examples where these two are bedfellows. On this showing - as a young, fresh and crunchy style - there should be more of it. Roughly 60/40 split of the two, I joked to winemaker Peter McGlashan that on aroma alone it was worthy of a second date! Has that inviting feel, something like bramble and plum with a meaty undertow. Seems to shift and...

2019 / Granite Belt / Malbec / Mataro et al

Sunday, 24 November 2019

Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2018

16:00 Stu.

Yalumba's Y Series represents cracking value across the board. This Shiraz Viognier is no exception. An inviting hit of Mulberry, blackcurrant, even some cherry in the mix; what seems a mere kiss of oak - there is none - accentuates and frames the wine up. Peppery hints...

2018 / Shiraz / South Australia / Viognier

Angullong Fossil Hill Vermentino 2019

08:30 Stu.

Snow pea tendril, citrus, a chalk and salinity on a breeze vibe. Something of more tropical bent; dripping ripe peach, pulpy mango or some such. Tart and citrusy, the cut and thrust of acidity, probing and jabbing. About a length hangs the fruit, giving the impression...

2019 / Orange / Vermentino

Friday, 15 November 2019

Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2017

08:30 Stu.

Savoury, briary, stemmy, of hedgerow - unsure as to exact percentage - of whole bunch for sure. Throws a fair offering of both black fruit, and with a fine and minerally structure. Structurally sound, a freshening acidity, giving both length and focus. That said, it...

2017 / Adelaide Hills / Shiraz

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