The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

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Monday, 5 June 2023

De Bortoli Wood Fired Grenache 2021

  08:40    

An initial soft and sensuous palate yields to depth of fruit: satsuma plum, blueberry compote.

It's a pretty straight-down-the-line affair, a fine grain of tannin adds some structure to the palate profile.

Good level of sustain to the finish - steady effort here. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 31st May
Source: Sample
Price: $21.95
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: debortoli.com.au

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Monday, 29 May 2023

Mayfield Vineyard William Pinot Noir 2022

  08:40    

One year old Pinot from Orange. 285 dozen produced.

Speaks to a somewhat deeper and darker representation of Pinot: briar, dark cherry, blue fruit and florals.

The palate is a mid to full weight, a generous palate presence with a pitch of acidity against a blue/black fruit mix.

For the ask, I'd like to see more depth, presence and barrel time. That said the fruit quality does shine through. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 18th May
Source: Sample
Price: $65
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.mayfieldvineyard.com.au

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Thursday, 23 March 2023

Break Free Enfant De Lune Syrah 2021

  15:26    

Single Vineyard wine, fruit from the Frankland River region. 

“Child of the Moon", or born of the moon. Harvested in the cool, by moonlight. Ten days on skins, unfiltered and unfined. Just fermented juice it would appear.

Juicy fruit nose, like the blackcurrant pastille you sucked on as a kid. Subtle baking spice hints, touch of old wood in the frame.

Lithe, supple - not giving any hints to its 14.5% alcohol - with a wicked peppery lick across the length of the wine. It's juicy with a fine grip of subtle tannin, body to the persistent berry driven character present. Fun gear. 91

Tasted on: Wednesday 22nd March
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

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Sample Screwcap $ 14.5%

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Monday, 27 February 2023

Téssera Wines Middle Child Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

  11:47    

McLaren Vale Cabernet is - in my view - an oft overlooked pleasure. Shiraz stands tall, attempts have been made to garner Grenache as the hero variety - and that's without mentioning the strong Italian roots in the region that have seen Montepulciano and Sangiovese championed amongst the reds.

Here, a Cabernet Sauvignon with classic dark chocolate and coffee grounds aromas - those deep and dark compounds slowly reveal blue and black fruits within.

The palate is soft, rounded, approachable - oak tannin remnants married to a resurgence of fruit and associated freshness. Acid works in tandem to deliver a generous length - and satisfaction. Go now to 2028. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 26th February
Source: Sample
Price: $26.66
Alcohol: 14.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tesserawines.com.au/

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Friday, 17 February 2023

Mayfield Vineyard Backyard Riesling 2022

  12:45    

It's been a while between drinks from Mayfield. This the first of a trio of reviews from the label since acquisition by the Eastham family in 2021.

Expressive Riesling from the Orange region: passionfruit, sour apples, suggestion of under-ripe banana in the mix too.

Soft on entry, soon yielding to a vibrant, minerally acidity giving energy and length.

Limes and kaffir leaf lead to thoughts of spicy Thai on hot days. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 16th February
Source: Sample
Price: $34
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.mayfieldvineyard.com.au/

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Wednesday, 15 February 2023

Cellier des Dauphins Les Dauphins Côte du Rhone Rosé 2020

  16:00    

Strawberry and husk, a little watermelon and rind.

Textural with a slightly broader palate profile. Citrus running fresh across the finish. Flash of fresh herb in the frame too. A pleasing, somewhat no-nonsense style of Rosé. 88

Tasted on: Saturday 29th October
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Huntington Estate Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

  09:24    

I had the opportunity to re-appraise this at the Huntington Winemaker's Lunch (a great event if you get the chance - disclosure, I have been fortunate to be invited as a guest of the winery on occasion).

On that second tasting, it was reinforced how it is so a wine of depth, of dark black and red fruit sitting on a dense palate with firm tannins.

The Special Reserve is very much a denser and darker manifestation of Cabernet - at least on this showing - within the Huntington portfolio. 

There's a richness too, almost veering toward something that in youth might be considered a balsamic edge. Deep and dense, as though to reflect the rich Mudgee soil, free of the artifice that can be afflicted through excessive oak. 

The palate shows a freshness, a pleasant change of direction at odds to the initial depths that are explored across the palate. For all that, it's certainly assured of a life ahead of it. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 30th October
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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