April 2020 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Thursday, 30 April 2020

d'Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

20:21 Stu.

Cedary oak over Plum - firm and assertive, riper - as the Icons seem to be this year, indeed the Ironstone Pressings GSM has been held back for now, when historically the trio has been released simultaneously. Finer tannin profile - again consistent with...

2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / McLaren Vale

Wednesday, 29 April 2020

Ridgemill Estate Pinot G 2019

16:30 Stu.

Pouring a delightful subtle bronze colour. Offering aromas of just ripe Nashi pear, subtle spice hints, a suggestion of toast (although that could be me having a stroke or the neighbour burning theirs!). The palate shows a touch of weight against a crisper presence...

2019 / Granite Belt / Pinot Grigio

Taylor's Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

08:30 Stu.

I do like Clare Valley Cabernet - here married to that from Coonawarra - it seems to consistently present in a brighter manifestation. There's hints of gum leaf in the mix too. Altogether it adds up to a bright and somewhat more fruity representation. The palate shows...

2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Clare Valley / Coonawarra

Tuesday, 28 April 2020

Hastwell and Lightfoot Vermentino 2019

16:30 Stu.

Vermentino was the talk of the town (and twittersphere!) back in the day, hailed as one of a new breed of somewhat more sustainable varieties, better suited to the changing growing environment. Save that some producers latched onto this hype, with scant regard...

2019 / McLaren Vale / Vermentino

Rusty Mutt Shiraz 2016

08:30 Stu.

Solid McLaren Vale Shiraz here, bearing the hallmark of both region and variety. Succulent berry profile, fruit still prime at four years. Milk chocolate and oak remnants, subtle earthen hints. The palate sees more of the same, except the fruit cranks...

2016 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Monday, 27 April 2020

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Semillon 2018

16:30 Stu.

Preserved lemon meets something like Canteloupe melon. It's certainly that citrus vibe, supplemented with a tropical edge. There's a waxy, textural feel across the palate, slip and slide movement that lends a sensuous sway to proceedings. It's all free run juice - the...

2018 / Mudgee / Semillon

d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2017

08:30 Stu.

A touch of boozy warmth greets you on first appraisal, spiced oak supplementing that, giving something of a Christmas cake appeal. That palate shows appeal, more medium than full bodied, a succulence and fine tannin threaded through. Hints of licorice, dark chocolate...

2017 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Friday, 24 April 2020

Jules Taylor On The Quiet Rosé 2018

16:30 Stu.

OTQ, or On The Quiet, represents a reserve range for Jules Taylor Wines. Strawberry, touch of rhubarb, boiled lolly aspect. Crisp, tickle of spice across the palate, crunch of acidity. Seems fairly derivative for a Pinot Noir rosé, particularly given the asking price....

2018 / Marlborough / New Zealand / pinot noir / Rosé

Angullong Fossil Hill Barbera 2018

08:30 Stu.

Sweet-spice against a darker manifestation of fruit, violet notes. There's a warmth, a depth, a chocolate like note of familiarity. For the depth and bluster, the palate is fresh and bright - in stark contrast to its listed 14.5% - as one expects from a good example...

2018 / Barbera / Orange

Thursday, 23 April 2020

Chateau Martinolles Limoux Chardonnay 2018

16:30 Stu.

Immediately rich, buttery, hint of toast and with a minerally sense. Generous, fluid, creamy hints; full malo and Battonage evident here - full and rich in style. Lovers of the style will be happy here. 89 Tasted on: Sunday 12th April Source: Sample Price:...

2018 / Chardonnay / France / Limoux

Yangarra Shiraz 2018

08:30 Stu.

So, sourced from six separate blocks across the estate, half sand and half ironstone. It's 50% whole berries and approximately 20% bunch. There's 20% new oak in the mix, yet it still seems evident on the palate, juxtaposed against depth of fruit concentration...

2018 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Wednesday, 22 April 2020

Vino Volta Methode Ancestrale 2019

20:34 Stu.

Grenache based Petillent Naturel (AKA Pet Nat, mate) from WA's Swan Valley. Pouring more like a bronzed onion skin than the red you might think of associating with a Grenache. Offers a subtle raspberry vibe over wholemeal bready hints. Soft and delicate, it...

2019 / grenache / Petillant Naturel / Swan Valley

Rusty Mutt Vermilion Bird 2014

08:30 Stu.

One might suggest the retail price is squarely aimed at wealthy buyers from a certain overseas market where the number 8 is considered good luck. It appears to have been a good ploy, the wine is now sold out ex-winery - and fully justified in its asking price. Certainly...

2014 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Tuesday, 21 April 2020

Huntington Estate Semillon 2019

15:30 Stu.

Warm days, cool nights - for a slightly more opulent and forward style. It's complex aromatically, operating in more of the citrus to pineapple zone, subtle herbal inflections lift the game further. The palate perhaps gives an impression of fruit sweetness - certainly...

2019 / Mudgee / Semillon

d'Arenberg The Old Bloke & Three Young Blondes Shiraz 2015

08:30 Stu.

Upon initial release this wine proved rather controversial and divisive, with Chester Osborn (perhaps the old bloke in the wine's title) bringing prime McLaren Vale Shiraz with Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne (the supposed young blondes). Red fruit: raspberry and chocolate;...

2015 / Marsanne / McLaren Vale / Roussanne / Shiraz / Viognier

Monday, 20 April 2020

Liv Zak Chardonnay 2019

17:59 Stu.

Subtle stonefruit, leesy solids derived funk. There's a nice citrus and white nectarine vein running, gentle toast and a fine acidic line threading through. Moderate textural aspect - it's just a good all-rounder sitting in the zone. 91 Tasted on: Sunday...

2109 / Chardonnay / Yarra Valley

Friday, 17 April 2020

Rusty Mutt Canejo Joven Tempranillo 2018

08:30 Stu.

Creamy vanilla over blue fruit. Certainly an inviting number, all too often Tempranillo can be a dried out wine, not here where winemaker Scott Heidrich crafted a succulent example. It's fresh and bright - per the Joven label. That doesn't mean it's a simple and fruit...

2018 / McLaren Vale / Tempranillo

Thursday, 16 April 2020

d'Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay 2019

18:12 Stu.

Always a bargain, rarely a chore. Stonefruit, doughy oak hints; figgy, Fuller of body, spiced hints, vanilla cream and stonefruit. A gentle phenolic edge add textural width add body. I've seen it better in recent years, but still a steal at the price. 87 Tasted...

2019 / Chardonnay / McLaren Vale

Monday, 13 April 2020

Liv Zak Syrah 2018

10:31 Stu.

Certainly conveys a cooler climate take on the variety, and certainly worthy of the Syrah distinction. Of stem and sap, brown spice and black pepper. Lighter of body, slight ferrous tannin, spike of acidity for drive and length. Certainly of savoury bent,...

2018 / Syrah / Yarra Valley

Thursday, 9 April 2020

Huntington Estate Barrel Ferment Chardonnay 2019

16:00 Stu.

I had the pleasure of spending a couple of nights in Mudgee post Christmas - an absolutely delightful region (and the town itself), more on that later. Tim and Nicky Stevens - proprietors of Huntington Estate - had a devastating 2020 vintage, not looking to dwell...

2019 / Chardonnay / Mudgee

Liv Zak Pinot Noir 2018

08:30 Stu.

Approachable, hints of forest floor, as if to season the fruit/savoury elements at the wine's core. Mid-weight, succulent, fruit presence and a fine vein of acidity through the middle. 91 Tasted on: Sunday 16th February Source: Sample Price: $36 Alcohol:...

2018 / pinot noir / Yarra Valley

Wednesday, 8 April 2020

Liv Zak Rosé 2018

16:00 Stu.

Liv Zak being the second label of the Yarra Valley's Warramunda Estate. This Pinot based Rosé is certainly pretty in pink, pouring both a delightful hue, offering a Berry accented aroma to the imbiber. The palate crisp and clipped, a smart snap of...

2018 / pinot noir / Rosé / Yarra Valley

Out of Step Wine Co Malakoff Vineyard Nebbiolo 2018

08:30 Stu.

A maelstrom of red berries at its core, sitting prime and centre, imbued with a savoury edge. Epitomising the competing juxtapositions of this wine, indeed it pours with the slightly brickish edge Nebb can have, yet in glass it's bright and vibrant. Complexity...

2018 / nebbiolo / Pyrenees

Tuesday, 7 April 2020

Terre à Terre Piccadilly Valley Rosé 2019

16:00 Stu.

Berry driven aromatics lead, the wine is derived from 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay initially destined as base for DAOSA sparkling wine. There's a subtle spice edge - with a floral lift, elevating the wine further. Delicately rounded textural palate,...

2019 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay / pinot noir / Rosé

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2016

08:30 Stu.

Oak seems somewhat raw and intrusive on initial showing. Thick, heavy set, a decent portion of new one adds; (Twenty months in 50% new French oak. 85% cabernet sauvignon, 15% shiraz). Licorice, black fruit - at least present here, after being dominated on...

2016 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz / Wrattonbully

Monday, 6 April 2020

Bremerton Special Release Fiano 2019

16:00 Stu.

Florals, almond paste - it's seemingly the type of wine that shifts, offering something further with each appraisal - adding a light citrus vibe. Delicate lemon citrus, soft acids, just ebbs along; soft and rounded, missing a touch of drive and penetration on...

2018 / Fiano / Langhorne Creek

Main Ridge Estate Half Acre Pinot Noir 2012

08:30 Stu.

A Cellar Door purchase back in 2014 on a trip to the Mornington with some legends. Oh how different the world was back then; personally, societally. An earthen Pinot Noir, hints of mushroom and a little mulch. Suggestions of what seem a little residual oak linger, chai...

2012 / Mornington Peninsula / pinot noir

Sunday, 5 April 2020

Altus/ Rise Wildlight Chardonnay 2019

16:00 Stu.

Stonefruit, sandalwood, hints of ginger and mace. The palate showing white pepper, green melon, all delivered on a line of tangy citrus. Reasonable effort for an entry level Margs Chardonnay. 87 Tasted on: Wednesday 22nd January Source: Sample Price:...

2019 / Chardonnay / Margaret River

Altus/ Rise Wildlight Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2019

08:43 Stu.

A Margaret River blend of 75% SB / 25% Semillon. Skewing toward the fresher and more tropical side of the blend, a classic example of a regional style: Passionfruit, lychee, hints of kaffir and lemongrass. More of the same on the palate, a roundness to it, giving...

2019 / Margaret River / Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon

Wednesday, 1 April 2020

Castle Rock Porongurup Riesling 2019

16:00 Stu.

Grapefruit, bath salts, a tropical periphery: think guava, a suggestion of Passionfruit perhaps. Grapefruit acidity presents itself early, lemon barley even. Takes me back to watching Wimbledon as a kid that does. Acidity a touch nervy at this early juncture, one suggests...

2019 / Great Southern / riesling

d'Arenberg The Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2018

08:30 Stu.

Dark, earthen, hints of soy in the frame. Less about the fruit. Firmish tannin against some bright acidity. Semblance of fruit on the palate - again darker manifestation thereof - more tilled earth. Good carry of flavour, oak present, not obtrusive. 91 Tasted...

2018 / grenache / McLaren Vale

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)