2021 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

An Australian Wine Blog

Friday, 26 November 2021

Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Chardonnay 2020

16:30 Stu.

Figgy kind of Chardonnay here, suggestion of citrus.Palate shows more of a nutty, marzipan and spice character - that could be the secondary influence of the whisky barrels. Regardless, there's an appealing nature - even an offer of orange peel - to this wine. Perhaps not...

2020 / Chardonnay

Patina Pinot Noir 2018

08:30 Stu.

Even at 3y of age it still feels youthful and primary. Berry fruit with a slight sour edge lurking beneath.It's light on entry - yet with a soft, sensuous and pillowy approach through the middle of the wine. A line of cool climate acidity threads its way across, forming...

2018 / Orange / pinot noir

Thursday, 25 November 2021

Harewood Estate Porongurup Riesling 2021

16:00 Stu.

Lemongrass, citrus, an undercurrent of salinity sitting gently beneath. The delicate fragrance not quite in tune for a Riesling packing a punch and tang of flavour. A zest and minerality performs a lively dance across the palate, down the spine and through to a fine...

2021 / Great Southern / Porongurup / riesling

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Yangarra Rosé 2020

16:00 Stu.

Whole berry, basket pressed; wild yeast Ferment, lees maturation and battonage. Rosé shown some love, the Yangarra way. Touch of Turkish Delight and rose petal, softly accented, to entice. Crisp, clipped, has a cool approach - in that it feels punchy...

2020 / grenache / McLaren Vale / Rosé

Monday, 22 November 2021

Blue Pyrenees Bone Dry Rosé 2020

16:00 Stu.

I had to double check that I'd not already reviewed this, for my tasting experiences show Rosés typically tend to be released in the same year as declared vintage, not here it would seem!Strawberry, watermelon, touch of dried herb in the mix.It's dry as, with a wicked crunch...

2020 / Pyrenees / Rosé

Ballycroft Small Berry Mataro 2017

08:30 Stu.

2.1t hand harvested on 20th April 2017. Spending18m in shaved out American oak.The residual oak - from the 18m in re-purposed American - is evident on both the aromatics and across the palate. It feels right, and deep, and with the warmth of its alcohol and oak vessel. Fennel...

2017 / Barossa Valley / Mataro et al

Sunday, 21 November 2021

Tim Adams Riesling 2020

16:30 Stu.

Classic lemons and limes - not you'd expect anything else, or want more in a classic Clare Riesling. More lime across the palate, classic profile, touch of citrus zip, zing and zest - albeit with the dial turned down a touch. Still, refreshment personified. 91Tasted...

2020 / Clare Valley / riesling

Domaines Paul Mas Vignes de Nicole Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019

08:30 Stu.

Fine and powdery - cocoa like - tannins here; savoury with a smattering of fruit. There’s faint touches of old and drying tobacco, olive skins, and it veers toward to something cocoa like. Seeming somewhat devoid of personality and interest, yet without fault. The...

2019 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Pays d"oc

Saturday, 20 November 2021

Blue Poles Amato Vino Marsanne 2020

16:00 Stu.

Fruit from the Blue Poles 'Osmington' vineyard is whole bunch basket pressed by surf loving winemaker Brad Wehr of Amato Vino. A portion is fermented in amphora, to accentuate the slippery and skinsy feel of the Marsanne. Opens with something like honey drizzled pear,...

Angullong Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

08:30 Stu.

Tasted this some 6m back when it felt somewhat hollow, time has fleshed it out - a wine for the times, when extended Covid isolation has led to more sedentary lifestyles and anecdotal tales of weight gain. I digress. Cedar, Bay, hints of tomato leaf. Chocolate appears...

2016 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Orange

Friday, 19 November 2021

Golden Grove Vermentino 2021

16:00 Stu.

Back to Estate fruit for this vintage. It sees 20% Barrel fermentation left on lees for 2 months and 9% being fermented on full skins for 10 days.A beautifully aromatic wine, florals and with more than a throw of stonefruit in the frame. An initial textural spread...

2021 / Granite Belt / Vermentino

Harewood Estate Denmark Pinot Noir 2021

08:30 Stu.

It's a Pinot in a youthful and fruity vibe, with raspberry, cherry, satsuma plum and a cassis-like air about it.The palate is light, with a delicate chewy complexion. Barely there tannin profile abuts what seems like a spritz adding energy, vitality and length. It's not...

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Chateau Yaldara Moscato NV

15:01 Stu.

Fresh on approach: Subtle rose water, pear and green apple skins. Slight sorbet like zestiness to proceedings. I'd perhaps unfairly - snobbishly - left this in the sample pile.There's a gentle spritz, a certain mid-palate sweetness, a tickle of citrus. The...

Barossa / Moscato / NV

Angullong Fossil Hill Tempranillo 2019

08:30 Stu.

I picked the bottle up, recording the price and stated alcohol - standard practice - and upon seeing its 14.5% wondered where it might sit stylistically in comparison to old world examples. But why? Why would I feel the need to compare an example from a region 10,000 odd...

2019 / Orange / Tempranillo

Wednesday, 17 November 2021

De Bortoli Blue Pinot Gris 2020

16:30 Stu.

I didn't read the accompanying PR at first and expected this to actually be blue with some adjunct. So why blue: as the press release actually states:"Blue evokes feelings of calmness, trust and confidence, paired with the dragonfly and butterfly which symbolise hope,...

2020 / King Valley / Pinot Gris

Yangarra Noir 2019

08:30 Stu.

Grenache, 62%; Mourvedre, 12%; Shiraz, 15%; Carignan, 6%; Cinsault, 3%; Carignan, 6%.A true Southern Rhone blend beyond the usual suspects of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre; each component handled separately, prior to final assemblage. Smells a touch rooty on...

2019 / Carignan / Cinsault / grenache / Mataro et al / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Pizzini Riesling 2021

16:36 Stu.

Riesling was the first variety planted by the Pizzini family back in 1978, serving to remind of their deep and long connection to the region and industry.Pure and nigh glacial, a cool and crisp representation of the variety from the King Valley. There's a subtlety to the...

2021 / King Valley / riesling

Golden Grove Sangiovese 2021

08:30 Stu.

Vibrant and juicy style of Sangiovese here. Unsure what the Sangiovese/ Chianti equivalent of a 'Joven' style is - but I'd offer that this is it personified.!It's delicate, fruit forward and with the merest hint of tannic crunch. It's a loose and 'open weave' style...

2021 / Granite Belt / sangiovese

Monday, 15 November 2021

Alkoomi White Label Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2021

16:27 Stu.

Passionfruit, citrus, rock melon. It's a fruity, tropical number that provides refreshment from the go.Pithy citrus across the palate, touch of bittering in there too - a useful counterpoint. It's really about up front refreshment, not so much through the finish. Will serve...

2021 / Great Southern / Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon

Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz 2018

08:30 Stu.

Big and bold, plenty of oak on show too - both French and American, 40% of which is new, the latter seemingly dominating - what more would you want from 'Woodhenge'? For that heft and brawn, it's fairly supple across the palate, initial remnants of oak subside...

2018 / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Wednesday, 10 November 2021

Pizzini Arneis 2021

16:00 Stu.

Delightfully fragrant example: white florals, stonefruit - and dripping with juice - hint of white pepper in the mix too, somewhat unexpectedly.Light and dry; open, airy and inviting kind of wine with just a powder puff suggestion of grape tannin across the middle. This...

2021 / Arneis / King Valley

Tapanappa Definitus Pinot Noir 2018

08:30 Stu.

For a fuller background description as to the origins of the Definitus, please refer to the 2017 review.A very expressive example from the off. Wonderful aromatics, yet cast that aside and take delight in the sheer power and depth across the palate. Tight and minerally...

2018 / Fleurieu Peninsula / pinot noir

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Edenflo Lemon Krush 2021

16:00 Stu.

Eden Valley Semillon and Chardonnay with extended skin contact. Creates a lightly cloudy wine, almost lemon barley like in appear. Krushing it. Grapefruit, dried ginger, preserved lemons. Fresh style - yet I'd suggest the palate is where the real excitement is. A textural...

2021 / Chardonnay / Eden Valley / Semillon / Viognier

Dalrymple Cottage Block Pinot Noir 2019

08:30 Stu.

Captivating aromatics: hibiscus, violets - floral and with subtle res/ black/ blue fruit mix.Soft, sensuous, betraying the stated alcohol content. Tannin is fine, structured, with freshening acidity that speaks to both cooler climes and an ability to cellar. The epitome...

Monday, 8 November 2021

Blue Pyrenees Rosé NV

16:30 Stu.

Pale bronze/ copper skinned wine on pour. Bright in glass, light strawberry wafting. Touch of fruit sweetness on taste: strawberry, raspberry - certainly in that red berry spectrum,with red apple skins supplementing. Gentle bubbles cascade across the palate. Balanced,...

Chardonnay / NV / pinot noir / Sparkling

Lambert Estate First Chapter Shiraz 2019

08:30 Stu.

Classic Barossa Shiraz in profile. Deep plum, Mulberry, kiss of oak just there.The palate shows a sweetish fruit profile, firmish grain of tannin and a lick of - well - licorice through the finish. Solid Barossan Shiraz, a crowd pleaser all the way. 90Tasted on: Saturday 28th August Source: Sample Price: $TBC Alcohol: 14.5% Closure: Screwcap Website: http://www.lambertestate.com/ Follow me:...

2019 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Sunday, 7 November 2021

Huntington Estate Pinot Noir Rosé 2021

16:36 Stu.

Has beautiful visual appeal, I'm sure it would entice on looks alone. It pours a pale dusky pink, the kind seen on a Summer's fading sun.It conveys a floral and confectioner's berry aroma, a sensation that flows onto the palate. It's consistent in its presentation, with...

2021 / Mudgee / pinot noir

Thursday, 4 November 2021

DAOSA Natural Reserve 4th Release NV

21:11 Stu.

This wine made me stand up and pay attention, even now some 48 hours later it continues to haunt me and make me re-appraise it.Initially autolytic characters with wholemeal bread in the frame dominate. Stonefruit, Quince - for those fruit characteristics it throws more...

Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay / pinot noir / Sparkling

Sunday, 17 October 2021

Geoff Merrill Reserve Chardonnay 2017

12:20 Stu.

Oak remnants, grilled nectarine, creamed corn. It's listed as 94% McLaren Vale Chardonnay, the balance being Coonawarra fruit.Richness across the palate, some additional time has softened acids, building texture. There's a creamy, almost mealiness, with stonefruit depth...

2017 / Chardonnay / McLaren Vale

Sunday, 8 August 2021

Tim Adams Riesling 2021

08:30 Stu.

So it would appear 2021 is being lauded as a stellar vintage in Clare, at least something of potential has come from what has been quite a troubling period.Bath salts, lavender, suggestion of lemon grass and lime juice. There's a sharp and focal intensity to the wine, geared around citrus, possessing drive through to the finish. It fades on that length, lingering sufficiently to leave a lasting presence...

#SummerofRiesling / 2021 / Clare Valley / riesling

Saturday, 7 August 2021

Jules Taylor Pinot Noir 2020

13:54 Stu.

Firmer, meatier style of Pinot Noir from the Marlborough region and the hand of Jules Taylor.Dark fruit, oak seasoning and tilled earth on offer. Stylistically it's medium to full bodied, dark fruits represent and segue to a firm - yet fine - tannin profile that carries...

2020 / Marlborough / New Zealand / pinot noir

Tuesday, 3 August 2021

Parish Vineyard Coal River Valley Riesling 2020

22:20 Stu.

Tasmanian Riesling from the Coal River Valley, some 30KMs north-east of Hobart.It's of a prominent citrus bent, a little marmalade, green mango and apple - add some freshening sea spray on the nose and you're pretty much there.The palate is fresh, tangy, hint of salinity...

2020 / riesling / Tasmania

Saturday, 12 June 2021

Calabria Three Bridges Grenache 2019

08:30 Stu.

Three Bridges named after the three weigh bridges built adjacent to the original winery.The brand is now multi-regional, here sourcing premium Barossa Grenache. Dense and plummy, as much about region.as variety. It's succulent on initial entry, cushioned and supple across the palate. Latently there's a darker edge, almost blackcurrant like, and with a licorice and spice edge that adds a deeper complexity...

2019 / Barossa Valley / grenache

Friday, 11 June 2021

Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

08:30 Stu.

A blend of McLaren Vale (53%) and Coonawarra (47%) fruit.Released with the age on it, still retaining an element of youth, vigour and freshness. Plummy, damson, blackcurrant notes on the nose. The palate conveying an acidic freshness, tannin is firm and somewhat robust...

2013 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Coonawarra / McLaren Vale

Thursday, 10 June 2021

Tapanappa Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 2020

21:13 Stu.

Very Hills and Tapanappa in profile, citrus and nectarine with a smattering of oak (one third new) in support: there, yet allowing the fruit to shine.Decent length here, a fine line with a just there acidity. It's all about the balance. Something like a grapefruit tang...

2020 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Wednesday, 9 June 2021

De Bortoli Melba Amphora Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

07:30 Stu.

Cabernet from the Yarra Valley doesn't normally spend 150 days on skins in 1000l amphora, being then pressed off and sent to older French oak. On this showing perhaps it should.It's less about the aromatics, as perhaps is logical given from the techniques employed...

2019 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Yarra Valley

Tuesday, 8 June 2021

Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir 2019

20:26 Stu.

Castle Rock is an excellent producer under the watchful haze of winemaker Rob Diletti, churning out exemplar wines across Riesling, Chardonnay, and reds through Shiraz and here Pinot Noir.It's cool, savoury - reflecting its maritime location - leading with sour cherry,...

2019 / Great Southern / pinot noir

Sunday, 18 April 2021

d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Marsanne 2020

16:27 Stu.

Honeysuckle, flowering Jasmine - a very spring like vibe here in this Hermit Crab, even if suggestively it's hibernating for the next couple of months perhaps.Nice mid-weight, acid a touch sharp and seems out of focus - compared to that lovely aromatic intro. 88Tasted on:...

2020 / Marsanne / McLaren Vale

Wednesday, 14 April 2021

Tapanappa Foggy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

08:30 Stu.

Sour cherry and dark fruit profile, touch more of the savoury - almost hedgerow, stem like - than I necessarily recall.For that depth of aromatics, it carries a lightness to itself; silken in its flow across the palate and not sacrificing length nor depth of flavour. Tannin...

2019 / Fleurieu Peninsula / pinot noir

Tuesday, 13 April 2021

d'Arenberg d'Arry's Grenache Shiraz 2018

21:17 Stu.

Grenache the hero here, deep raspberry compote aromatics with black fruit adding depth and a layered aspect.The palate is similar in profile, with the additional of typical McLaren Vale earth. Good release, good value. 90Tasted on: Saturday 27th March Source: Sample Price:...

2018 / grenache / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Tuesday, 16 February 2021

Wirra Wirra Lost Watch Riesling 2020

16:30 Stu.

Subtle lemongrass and kaffir lime notes here, supplemented with a touch of citrus across the palate. There's a touch more texture, a fleshy suppleness with a chalky phenolic pucker. A lemon/ lime acidic line adds a spine and precision to the finish. It may be perceived...

2020 / Adelaide Hills / riesling

Amigo de la Terra Organic Tempranillo Syrah 2018

08:30 Stu.

Organically farmed Tempranillo and Syrah from the high Plains of Northern Syrah, a vino de Espana. Earthy core with black fruit accents that act as a counter to that initial aroma of the land. Plum and blackcurrant vibes across the palate. Soft, fleshy and yet...

2018 / Tempranillo / Vino de Espanah

Monday, 15 February 2021

Angullong Shiraz 2019

20:00 Stu.

Opens with what might be variously interpreted as a char and bacon fat/ meat aroma, or a mercaptan (onions or such) vibe.The palate is a touch softer, fleshier, black fruit abounds - almost blackcurrant pastille like. A touch of residual fruit sweetness offsets the...

2019 / Orange / Shiraz

Tuesday, 9 February 2021

Henty Farm Riesling 2019

16:30 Stu.

Curry leaves and Fenugreek - certainly a Riesling on the more interesting side of the aromatic spectrum. It's cool and crisp, yet somewhat lighter in flavour and texture. Henty is certainly cool, on the more marginal fringes of Australian viticulture and this excellent...

2019 / Henty / riesling

Ballycroft Small Berry Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

08:30 Stu.

Dusky black fruit over pencil shavings and rolling tobacco. It's on the fuller side for Cabernet Sauvignon, which is exactly where winemaker Joe Evans likes the variety. Tannins are ultra-fine, a combination of graphite and cocoa. Latterly the wine reveals...

2018 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Langhorne Creek

Monday, 8 February 2021

Huntington Estate Tim Stevens Signature Shiraz 2017

18:01 Stu.

Alongside its Cabernet/Shiraz [link] counterpart, the Tim Stevens Signature Shiraz represents the upper echelon of the Huntington portfolio. From the off it's rich and somewhat hedonistic. A deep, intense wine, yet it does so whilst letting fruit and region sing....

2017 / Mudgee / Shiraz

Thursday, 4 February 2021

Edenflo Quincy J 2020

08:30 Stu.

A delicious skinsy blend of Eden Valley Gewürz, Riesling and Viognier.Eden Flo is Andrew Wardlaw and sidekick (dog) Quincy Jones. Andrew was at pains to express how to best sample his wines - attention to detail a boon - advising to avoid excess cold and allow time and...

2020 / Eden Valley / Gewürztraminer / Viognier

Wednesday, 3 February 2021

Clandestine Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2020

16:30 Stu.

Fresh and bold, Passionfruit, pear and herb - more like the illicit offspring resulting from a vineyard tryst between Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. Cut and thrust of acidity, gentle phenolic rub across the palate. Can't escape the fact that this seems more akin to Hills...

d'Arenberg The Anthroprocene Epoch Mencia 2019

08:30 Stu.

On aromatics alone it's a good rendition of a Ribeira Sacra, with a dense core of red fruit amidst a savoury, almost smokey - but not quite rubbery (an oft sighted quality in this appelation) - backgroundIt's soft, gentle, with a fine and tight tannin structure. Seemingly...

2019 / McLaren Vale / Mencia

Tuesday, 2 February 2021

Barossa Boy Young Wisdom Mataro 2018

17:57 Stu.

Diam sealed, pretty serious intent coming in a heavy set - deep punted - bottle. Initially sullen, Mataro needs some air - IMNSHO - to reveal its true colours. This example itself to be tightly coiled, fine grain of tannin, heft of a wine - subtlety...

#ProjectMataro / 2018 / Barossa Valley / Mataro et al

Monday, 1 February 2021

Ubertas Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

16:30 Stu.

It's a fruitier expression of Chardonnay here, the winery seeking to express character of the variety over oak. Picked a little earlier, with a somewhat moderate 12.5% alcohol, fermented in tank before half sent to 2nd year French barrels. Notes of pineapple and melon...

2020 / Barossa Valley / Chardonnay

Huntington Estate Merlot 2019

08:30 Stu.

Image to follow"2019 has been characterised by intensely dry heat spells followed by short, heavy rainfall. We picked our fruit very early to beat the heat and secured stunning, evenly ripened fruit with clean, restrained acids." This 2019 has been released before...

2019 / Merlot / Mudgee

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