November 2019 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

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

Thursday, 14 November 2019

Harewood Estate Denmark Riesling 2019

16:00 Stu.

Wasn't too fussed with the 2018 version of this, pleased to say that in 2019 it's certainly hitting the spot. It's all lemons, hint of bath salt adding its hand to the aromatic profile. Lemon sherbet with a thrust of minerally acidity, it's of the style that at...

2019 / Denmark / Great Southern / riesling

Taylor's Estate Shiraz 2018

08:30 Stu.

The Taylor's (outside of Australia AKA Wakefield) Estate range has been in rather good form of late, blending succulent blue fruit with a savoury mien backing this up. Exuding the air of cooler climes, with a suggestive pitch of oak framing things up. Seasoning, blue...

2018 / Clare Valley / Shiraz

Tuesday, 12 November 2019

I Am George Shiraz 2017

16:00 Stu.

I Am George being a Pernod Ricard brand that honours pioneer of the Aussie wine industry, George Wyndham. Smattering of black fruit over vanilla oak; dusky cocoa nibs, succulent cassis and hints of licorice root, Mediterranean herb. Not exactly hiding from its 14.5%...

2017 / Langhorne Creek / Shiraz

Moppity Vineyards Escalier Shiraz 2015

08:30 Stu.

Escalier (meaning staircase) and representing the Browns' continuous quest for improvement. It's a single block wine, this vintage being block 7, the vintage prior was block 8. Intended to only be made in the very best years, it would seem that fortune is looking kindly...

2015 / Hilltops / Shiraz

Monday, 11 November 2019

Pirate Cru William Hunt Old Vine Mataro 2015

16:00 Stu.

WIlliam Hunt, in the words of Chief Pirateer Dirk Pettigrew: "Bearded Christian pugilist, a realist and traditionalist with an enquiring eye for natural beauty found in the detail." Old vines, planted back in the Victorian era, and hence a nod to the artisans of the day....

#ProjectMataro / 2015 / Barossa Valley / Mataro et al / Vine Vale

Patina Jezza 2016

08:30 Stu.

A blend of Merlot, Cabs Franc and Sauv; blend unknown. Made only in the best years (and the first such release I'm aware of in some 8-9 years of knowing the brand/label). Certainly more oak dominant on the nose, deep and heavy, suppressing the fruit initially. Beyond...

2016 / Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot

Sunday, 10 November 2019

Moppity Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

16:00 Stu.

Unmistakeably classic Cabernet profile, cedar and seasoning - subtle mint hints sitting beneath. Medium bodied, mulberry and subtle plum hints; tannin offers a fine rasp, structure ahoy and serves as a vehicle for delivering fruit and an acidic presence. Drive, presence,...

2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Hilltops

Moppity Vineyards Shiraz 2017

08:30 Stu.

Hints of char and meat juices, black fruit and dusky violets. Smooth, silken slip of a palate, black fruits adds to the sense of gloss and sheen. Tannin is minor, the wine conveying a sense of freshness. Fruit presence is generous, length in spades. 93 Tasted on: Monday...

2017 / Hilltops / Shiraz

Saturday, 9 November 2019

Moppity Vineyards Lock & Key Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

16:00 Stu.

Blackcurrant, Mulberry, cedar, spice - quintessential Cabernet aromatics, pitch perfect one might suggest. Rich, a maelstrom of flavours, fruit and savoury ebbing and flowing; cassis, freshening and providing a surge of youthful energy - segueing to a fine tannin profile,...

2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Hilltops

Moppity Vineyards Crafted Syrah 2017

08:30 Stu.

Moppity Vineyards 'Crafted' range focuses on smaller batch and single vineyard/block expressions, varieties from the alternative path, as well as regional standards. Initially coming across as what may be perceived as a bolder expression of the variety, yet...

2017 / Hilltops / Shiraz

Friday, 8 November 2019

Tim Adams Skilly Ridge Riesling 2018

16:30 Stu.

From the associated release notes: Produced using only free-run juice, fruit flavours are kept pure and the resultant wine mirrors the berries tasted in the vineyard at harvest. It's fragrant, floral - lavender and violets; stonefruit and dripping honeydew melon....

2018 / Clare Valley / riesling

Brash Higgins MRLO 2017

08:30 Stu.

From the Lennon Vineyard in McLaren Vale; sees 7m in amphora and has an addition of 10% Nero d'Avola included in final bottling. I was feeling creative this day. Black fruit and herbal tangs, something darker lurking beneath; Seven months in Clay amphora, Nero...

2017 / McLaren Vale / Merlot

Thursday, 7 November 2019

Pig in the House Organic Rosé 2019

16:30 Stu.

I was surprised to learn that this was the first release of a Rosé under the Pig in the House label, organic fruit of course. Strawberry, rose petal, Turkish Delight. Musky hints, veering to savoury nuances on the palate. Drying, but long on flavour, the musk...

#Organic / 2019 / Cowra / Rosé / sangiovese

Pirate Cru Slurpy Puppy Centurion Vine Grenache 2015

08:30 Stu.

At 4 years it may have started to lose some of the lustre of youth in glass, yet the aromatics still speak of spicy and earthen Grenache over the pretty red fruit for which the variety is known. Light and silken palate, long-threaded gossamer tannin...

2015 / Barossa Valley / grenache

Wednesday, 6 November 2019

Campo Viejo Cava Brut Reserva NV

16:00 Stu.

Reserva Cava (meaning ageing for a minimum of 15 months on lees) and Brut (maximum 12g/l residual). Unsure of specific varieties, typically though made from Chardonnay, Macabeo, Paralleda, Xarello - all listed for indexing purposes). Green apple, hints of peach skin;...

Cava / Chardonnay / NV / Parellada / Reserva / Spain / Sparkling / Xarel-lo

Tim Adams Cabernet Malbec 2016

08:30 Stu.

A lively one here, both full bodied and yet also with softer black fruit and violet aromatics. It's deep and intense - to a degree - cedar and oak seasoning adding an aromatic lift, but also present on the palate giving length. Tannin is generous, a nice firm counter...

2016 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Clare Valley / Malbec

Tuesday, 5 November 2019

Harewood Estate Frankland River Riesling 2019

16:30 Stu.

Kaffir lime, lemongrass, stonefruit, suggestions of Passionfruit; Certainly of tropical bent. Generous line of zippy acidity, phenolic pinch adding depth to the length. Generousity - certainly a consistent theme - of fruit intensity, subsiding somewhat with honeyed...

2019 / Frankland River / riesling

Moppity Vineyards Crafted Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

08:30 Stu.

The Moppity 'Crafted' are crafted from specific blocks or rows of fruit that exhibit certain characteristics. This 2017 from the vineyards block 2, and identified for "an ideal juice to tannin ratio which we knew would result in a wine with great structure and generous...

2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Hilltops

Monday, 4 November 2019

Campo Vieja Rioja Reserva 2014

20:24 Stu.

Reserva classification, meaning it must be aged for a total of three years, with at least one year in oak barrels and at least six months in bottles. Slightly reductive, meaty; neither of fruit or particularly savoury bent - at least aromatically. Light of body...

2014 / Graciano / Mazuelo / Rioja / Spain / Tempranillo

Sunday, 3 November 2019

S.C.Pannell Basso Garnacha 2018

16:00 Stu.

Spice and Berry driven Grenache from the considered hand of Stephen Pannell and the lands of McLaren Vale. Light, supple, medium bodied with a crunch of acid and tannin. Black fruit intertwined with smatterings of red. Times like these (you learn to live again)...

2018 / grenache / McLaren Vale

Moppity Vineyards Cato Nebbiolo 2015

08:30 Stu.

Of cherry and herb; a similar bent on entry, yet with an immediate powder fine tannin to follow. Good acidic freshness, more by way of morello cherry. Black fruit and a savoury aspect, akin to tobacco and smoked oak shavings. It all comes together: fruit, tannin...

2015 / Hilltops / nebbiolo

Friday, 1 November 2019

Heartland Sposa e Sposa 2016

16:00 Stu.

A mix of Lagrein and Dolcetto and an early attempt at future proofing (2003 first vintage), winemaker Ben Glaetzer: "it looked ideal for SA (specifically the Creek) because it has very good natural acidity, thick skins and dense, hardy canopy meaning that it remains fresh...

2016 / Dolcetto / Lagrein / Langhorne Creek

Schloss Volrads Volrats Riesling Trocken 2016

09:57 Stu.

Lychee and pulpy tropical fruit. It's an odd feeling for a palate used to - primarily - Eden and Clare Valley Riesling, to not see the lime and apple florals so redolent in those examples. Still debates about terroir would be far shorter if everything were homogenised....

2016 / Germany / Rheingau / riesling

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