Alkoomi White Label Shiraz 2011

A modicum of black fruit, more charry than anything. Pretty similar on the palate, lacks form and depth.

Fine tannin provides a bit of redemption, but pulls up short of a length. 

There's better quality and value further up the Alkoomi portfolio. 86

Tasted on: Sunday 20th July, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: alkoomi.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

K1 by Geoff Hardy Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2010

Sensed that this is just waking from a slumber, unravelling, unfurling, revealing itself.

Pencil shaving oak, spice, black fruit with a touch of dried herb in the mix too. Possesses a medium bodied elegance, a mineral coolness that also supports black fruit by way of plum and cherry with a little lift of blue fruit.

In many respects its a wine of subtlety, of elegance. It finishes elegantly, effortlessly, tannin is present, not an overt presence - more a fine coating to conclude. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 12th July, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.k1.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Xabregas Mount Barker Shiraz 2011

Dusky black and red fruits here, touch of smoked bacon with a little sawdust oak lurking around the back.

Smooth entry, approachable, easy-going - an almost glass like feel on the palate. Black fruit abounds, steeped in kirsch. Tannin fine, concludes with a savoury, meaty touch. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 24th June, a Fruit transitioning to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.xabregas.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Pertaringa Understudy Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

More than enough quality here to be the lead, not just the Understudy.

Of course the name refers to a time when fruit from McLaren Vale was often included in wines of renown, without necessarily being declared as such.

Now that the region performs under the lights and glare of those onlookers, the Understudy is a playful reference to times when the region was less well known.

Mulberry, black fruit compote. Immediately more approachable than fellow board-treader the 'Rifle and Hunt', Made to be more approachable now, the palate sees violets, possesses a brighter fruit profile, more fruit driven; softer, mid-weight and mid-grain tannin.

A touch more alcohol here - a minor consideration - and concludes at a moderate length. 91

Tasted on: Monday 23rd June, a Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.pertaringa.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Pertaringa Rifle & Hunt Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

The Pertaringa Cellar Door is located at the junction of Rifle Range and Hunt Roads in McLaren Vale, and that junction lends its name to this fine Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fruit for the wine is drawn from the broader Adelaide GI. Opens with choc-plum-mulberry character with cedar, spice and a touch of black olive.

Full bodied, riven with spice and exhibiting a smoothness, with slightly plum black-fruit. Touch of acid adds a little freshness, grainy tannin adds length and depth of flavour. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 22nd June, a Leaf transitioning to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.pertaringa.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Terre à Terre Sauvignon Blanc 2013

The fourth release (2009, 2010, 2012 and this) of this serious Sauvignon from the Terre à Terre team of Xavier Bizot and Lucy Crosier. A mere 800 dozen produced, up there at $40 per bottle. It's not your cougar juice - and I feel somewhat dirty mentioning that in the context of this wine.

The care shown in the production of this wine signals intent. Eight months on fine lees and then racked back to stainless steel for a further month. This isn't a wine rushed out to market in order to make a quick dollar, for easy cash flow.

It's for the long haul. Possesses a fragrance, a touch of biscotti, florals - frangipani perhaps - amidst spice and oak. The latter, showing its hand but not flashing its knickers. If you don't mind.

There's a citrus tang with a softer edge. Chalky phenolics with a herbal touch through the middle. Length, oh what length, drying finish. One that will last. 93+

Tasted on: Sunday 22nd June, a Leaf transitioning to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: terreaterre.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Ferngrove King Malbec 2011

Vibrant in the glass, leaping out, encouraging you in.

Violets, lavender, blackberry compote. An alluring aromatic array. Underneath that lies a savoury edge, a little earth and dried grass.

Has Malbec's graphite edge - as I see it - black fruit bordering and backed up with some clove derived spice. Good length of flavour, if lacking a little detail on the finish. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 21st June, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ferngrove.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac