July 2019 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Wednesday, 31 July 2019

Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

17:30 Stu.

I didn't necessarily pick this as a Coonawarra wine at initial sight. It's subtle, yet rich with ripe black fruit, in the blackcurrant/cassis mould. I suppose what I mean by that regional ignorance is a lack of distinct eucalypt, which I guess is often what leads the...

2016 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Coonawarra

Bremerton Battonage Chardonnay 2017

12:30 Stu.

The Battonage of the wine's name has achieved its aim of adding width and texture across the fore-palate. Broad profile, not sacrificing acid mind, delivering on a good length. It's a mix of green apple and stonefruit, the fruit not wanting. Falling short a little,...

2017 / Chardonnay / Langhorne Creek

d'Arenberg The Hunjee Heartstring Montepulciano 2018

08:30 Stu.

I've not seen something this purple since Barney the Dinosaur. It's positively brimming with purple. That vibrancy doesn't quite carry through as perhaps one might suspect. Instead, rather, it offers more of a herbal and meaty presence. The biggest surprise...

2018 / McLaren Vale / Montepulciano

Tuesday, 30 July 2019

Harewood Estate Reserve Shiraz 2014

17:30 Stu.

Less enamoured with the Harewood reds when compared with their exemplary Whites. Reserve designation seemingly means in this instance "lots of oak thrown at this", but it seems to hold back the fruit character that may be present. Moderate tannins...

2014 / Great Southern / Shiraz

Zonte's Footstep Bolle Felici Prosecco

12:30 Stu.

Pithy citrus aromatics, conveys freshness. It's certainly fresh and lively, with a curl of citrus acidity, coarse and broad in presentation. Pithiness and zest, softer back palate. Reasonable length, in that citrus derived manner. Refreshment factor high....

Fleurieu / NV / Prosecco / Sparkling

Alkoomi Victrix Chardonnay 2017

08:30 Stu.

Named after the eucalypt Victrix. It's hand picked, whole bunch pressed to French oak (unsure of the age.) Finely seasoned, citrus and stonefruit. The French oak adding that aforementioned seasoning. It's fine on entry, yet immediately delivers a lavishly...

2017 / Chardonnay / Frankland River

Monday, 29 July 2019

Golden Grove The Little White Box GSM 2016

17:30 Stu.

A tribute to the patriarch of the Costanzo clan, and the man that winemaker (son) Ray Costanzo credits with being a pioneer of alternative varieties: Sam Costanzo. Respect. Tilled earth, black cherry, subtle hints of roasted meats. Oak serves to frame this up,...

2016 / Granite Belt / grenache / Mataro et al / Shiraz

Ballandean Estate Viognier 2017

12:30 Stu.

Viognier seems to be a variety enjoying a resurgence on the Granite Belt, a combination - I think - of good conditions and winemakers getting a handle on the nuances of the variety. It's a variety I explored in a longer form piece (link) and was pleased on a recent visit...

2017 / Granite Belt / Viognier

Raven's Croft Pinotage Rosé 2018

08:30 Stu.

Raven's Croft wine is the eponymous label of South African Mark Ravenscroft (coincidentally at the time of writing the winery is up for sale if you're interested). Situated some 12KM west of the central township of Stanthorpe, in the Greenfields sub-district. Estate plantings (including this Pinotage fruit) are located at some 950m above sea level. Ravenscroft's first Rosé under his own...

2018 / Granite Belt / Pinotage / Rosé

Sunday, 28 July 2019

Ballycroft Small Berry Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

17:00 Stu.

Normally the wine of Joe's I approach with the most trepidation: Langhorne Creek Cabernet clocking in at 15%, not for the faint hearted. The oak is present, perhaps dominant, that with some chocolate and biscuits oak remnants. Herbal inflections, bay. The depth...

2015 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Langhorne Creek

Jacob's Creek Barossa Signature Chardonnay 2017

12:30 Stu.

Slight custardy, almond oak showing here. Stonefruit, Citrus and figgy hints. Altogether rather pleasant, inviting. Toast and flinty notes, touch of chalky phenolics, gentle drying rub across the length of the palate. Not one whose ever been totally sold...

2017 / Barossa Valley / Chardonnay

Ubertas Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

08:30 Stu.

Second of two samples from Ubertas, here a "Great Australian Red". Will appeal to classicists, with a ready throw of vanilla and toffed oak sitting proud. Black licorice notes add a certain depth, succulence of black fruit softens that impact on the palate. Pepper....

2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz

Saturday, 27 July 2019

Robert Stein Reserve Chardonnay 2017

17:30 Stu.

Fruit from vines planted in 1976, they're handpicked and the fruit whole bunch pressed, 50% new French oak was used with a small portion of malo. Reserve designation Chardonnay at quite a reasonable price. It's brimming with stonefruit, to the point that...

2017 / Chardonnay / Mudgee

George The Wizard Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

12:30 Stu.

Offers tantalising glimpses, yet doesn't quite deliver with conviction. Tannin structure delivers in spades, but perhaps that may be the wine's issue in that the palate seems awash with fine grained tannin, at the expensive of flavour. Aromatically it,...

2016 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Coonawarra

Lyndale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2017

08:30 Stu.

A Jacob's Creek sub-brand, albeit one pumping out $50 Hills Chardonnay. Opens with classic aromatics, that mix of stonefruit, citrus, all wrapped up with just toasted oak and associated spice. Pronounced citrusy tang on entry, certainly bright and fresh...

2017 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Friday, 26 July 2019

Robert Stein Half Dry RS15 Riesling 2018

17:30 Stu.

This one slipped to the back of the pile, and to be honest when I found it I was waiting for an appropriate food moment to attempt to pair with. Do love a half/off-dry Rizza with a bit of chilli. Really pronounced lemon aroma, lemon sherbet meets preserved lemons....

2018 / Mudgee / Off-Dry / riesling

Jacob's Creek Barossa Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

12:30 Stu.

Chocolatey, cedary oak, it's classic Cabernet married to Barossan fruit quality. Juicy on the palate, black fruit shot through the body. Perhaps lacking in both structure and true Cabernet character. No faults, just missing presence and structure. 89 Tasted...

2017 / Barossa Valley / Cabernet Sauvignon

Liv Zak Chardonnay 2017

08:30 Stu.

Hand-picked and whole bunch pressed, settled overnight and then racked with solids to barrel, juice was left alone in barrel to ferment naturally, and was aged in old barrels on full-lees for 8 months with occasional stirring. Liv Zak being the second label of...

2017 / Chardonnay / Yarra Valley

Thursday, 25 July 2019

Robert Stein Farm Series SRG 2018

17:30 Stu.

Unusual white blend from a very aromatic trio. Unsurprisingly it leads with a citrus component, there's an element of muskiness in the frame, too. Clocking in at a mere 10% alcohol, it's more akin to something like a frizzante wine, a light spritz combined with...

2018 / Gewürztraminer / Mudgee / riesling / Semillon

Highgate Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

12:30 Stu.

Green, leafy, herbal - kinda reminds of dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) in aroma. Fine bodied, delicate, hints of blackcurrant - succulent in manner. There are herbal touches on the palate too. Perhaps not the greatest structure, good to go now. 89 Tasted...

2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Coonawarra

Tapanappa Piccadilly Chardonnay 2017

08:30 Stu.

Brian Croser is undoubtedly the Godfather of Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, first planting the region to the variety some 40-odd years ago. Broad and powerful wine, instantly you feel seduced by its quite intoxicating allure of stonefruit, citrus and oak. The palate...

2017 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Wednesday, 24 July 2019

Warramunda Estate Viognier 2017

17:30 Stu.

Baked goods, creamy cashew, stonefruit, perhaps a suggestion of chicken stock in the mix. Textural, has width and weight as it rolls across the tongue. It gives way to a white pepper aspect, a minerally spice. Freshness first, look for it to take on...

2017 / Viognier / Yarra Valley

Alkoomi Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2018

12:30 Stu.

Single block wine, 30% of which was fermented in French Oak. It still speaks of variety, softened, a vanilla aspect added to the green herb freshness. Nice pitch of zippy acidity, immediately noticeable on the palate. Delicate spice tickles its way across the...

2018 / Frankland River / Sauvignon Blanc

Harewood Estate Shiraz Cabernet Reserve 2014

08:30 Stu.

Fair whack of lumber thrown at this number. Guess that's partly what makes it a 'Reserve' right? Struggling to see through it to get to the fruit. It's there mind, lurking underneath, whether it will be allowed to shine through only time will tell. Rich, powerful...

2014 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Great Southern / Shiraz

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Pig In the House Cabernet Shiraz 2018

17:30 Stu.

A fresh and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon based on aromatic profile. Chocolate meets blackcurrant, with a subtle herbal underlay. Lighter in take, that elegance is present on the palate too. Comes, perhaps, at the sacrifice of tannin and structure, certainly a wine...

2018 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Cowra

Warramunda Marsanne 2017

12:30 Stu.

Buttery, citrus, stonefruit awash across the palate. It has a nutty like aromatic that doesn't necessarily allude to what the palate offers. Quite light on alcohol, given its stated 12%, normally seeing the variety (and its Rhone brethren Viognier and Roussanne)...

2017 / Marsanne / Yarra Valley

Gartelmann Jesse Shiraz 2015

08:30 Stu.

Mudgee fudgey. Bramble and blackcurrant meets something like a choc fudge sundae. Slick, glossy, the purple and blue fruit mix shining through. For a wine just sub 15% it's rather deft in how it flows and presents itself. Perhaps falling a little short, but still...

2015 / Mudgee / Shiraz

Monday, 22 July 2019

Tim Adams Shiraz 2016

17:30 Stu.

Clare Valley reds, so often in the shadow of the more renowned Whites - particularly Riesling. Yet when they're on song, they truly are magnificent. Focussing blackcurrant/cassis draws you in, add to that some Mulberry and Plum character. It's fairly substantive, yet...

2016 / Clare Valley / Shiraz

Lana Pinot Grigio 2017

12:30 Stu.

King Valley Grigio from a strong Italian heritage. Smells crisp, of pear and creamy white florals. Crisp and clipped, has a suggestion of middle succulence, almost textural. Stonefruit hints, unusually. Pinch of spice in the finish and a touch of acidic warmth....

2017 / King Valley / Pinot Grigio

Golden Grove Durif 2018

08:30 Stu.

A hale and hearty red, the grape variety being named after Dr Durif who “created” it through crossing Syrah with the rather less known Peloursin. One of its positives is that it is resistant to downy mildew, a boon in the Granite Belt which can suffer with summer storms. Here...

2018 / Durif / Granite Belt

Sunday, 21 July 2019

Jacob's Creek Barossa Signature Shiraz Tempranillo 2016

17:30 Stu.

Unsure of the blend of the two, it's shot with Plum, Blueberry and perhaps a touch of vanilla. The fruit presence is strong. Generous, rounded, an initial hit of fruit sweetness, subsiding to make way for more savoury hints. Tannin is somewhat astringent,...

2016 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz / Tempranillo

Alkoomi Wandoo Semillon 2014

12:30 Stu.

Semillon at 5, in a good spot. Something like preserved lemon, slightly butter menthol, honeydew melon. Herbal inflections, add another dimension, starting to take on some flesh about it. It's still fruit forward, with a fine acidic spine. 92 Tasted on:...

2014 / Frankland River / Semillon

I Am George Cabernet Merlot 2017

08:30 Stu.

Generous blend, of blackcurrant and perhaps a hint of cola cube aromatics here. Subtle herbal twang. Soft, generous, and awash with a mix of black and red fruits. It's a cocktail of flavours with a residual sweet accent. Tannin is not something necessarily...

2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot

Saturday, 20 July 2019

Zonte's Footstep Z Force Shiraz Petite Sirah 2015

17:30 Stu.

Released on Anzac Day, with a portion of proceeds from each sale going towards Legacy. Respect. Deep and rich, smelling very much like its constituent components from its source. Petite Sirah also being known as Durif, and possessing an almost creosote like depth. For...

2015 / McLaren Vale / Petite Sirah

Highgate Chardonnay 2018

12:30 Stu.

Pithy grapefruit, lemon sherbet. Citrus represents here, bold lemon flavour with sharp acidity providing focal length. Not the most defined shape, good tail of flavour. 88 Tasted on: Thursday 23rd May, a Fruit to Root day Source: Sample Price: $25 Alcohol:...

2018 / Chardonnay / Orange

Zonte's Footstep Chocolate Factory Shiraz 2017

08:30 Stu.

Mulberry overlaid with a little chocolatey oak. Classic McLaren Vale Shiraz. A bitterness on entry, a nice contrast to the smoothness of the palate and semblance of fruit. There's a slight raspberry hint, subtle, combined with the Plum and Mulberry aspects. Tannin is...

2017 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Friday, 19 July 2019

Tapanappa Definitus Foggy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017

17:30 Stu.

Something akin to a block level wine off the Fleurieu's Foggy Hill Vineyard. The Definitus strip being a sub-Ridge formed where ferruginuous sandstone comes close to the surface. The strip also marks a delineation between two rows of two Bernard Clones (115 and 117, planted...

2017 / Fleurieu Peninsula / pinot noir

Alkoomi Black Label Chardonnay 2018

12:30 Stu.

Cooler manifestation of Chardonnay, clocking in nicely at a stated 12.5%, exhibiting stonefruit hints combined with citrus and meal. Starts off well. Palate shows an acidity, probing and cutting, carrying its grapefruit lines long across the palate. 91 Tasted...

2018 / Chardonnay / Frankland River

Zonte's Footstep Violet Beauregard Malbec 2016

08:30 Stu.

Fairly juicy for a Malbec, lighter than expected. Doesn't sacrifice body and tannin for that. Violet by name, Violet by nature - both in hue, and aroma. Hints of Blueberry add to that juicy palate. For all that juice it naturally comes with a freshening acidic...

2016 / Langhorne Creek / Malbec

Thursday, 18 July 2019

Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz 2016

17:30 Stu.

Slightly reductive. suppressing. Black, brambly fruit. Fine, powdery tannin, a little freshening acidity. Otherwise it's firm and bold, with a depth of flavour. Suggestion of anise on the back palate. 89 Tasted on: Friday 17th May, a Flower day Source:...

2016 / Langhorne Creek / Shiraz

Jacob's Creek Classic Riesling 2018

12:30 Stu.

Tropical imbued, green papaya and lime in the main. Slightly husky, pithy. Lemons and Limes, simple in approach, certainly juicy and refreshing. Nice tang and a gentle ebbing flow along the palate. Decent Riesling for the ask, particularly given what it can...

2018 / riesling / South Australia

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)