The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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Saturday, 12 June 2021

Calabria Three Bridges Grenache 2019

  08:30    

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 to it. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 9th May
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.calabriawines.com.au

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Friday, 11 June 2021

Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

  08:30    

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 still now. Gives a firmness and provides length and depth of flavour.

Somewhat older school in its presentation, an observation - nothing more. Matched this a medium reverse seared rib fillet on the bone, the tannin/protein match-up a perfect pairing to highlight the depth and even of a touch of char in the oak.

In the zone now, yet still with plenty ahead of it. Bottle August 2017 after a whopping 36m in a mix of French and American oak. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 5th June
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.geoffmerrillwines.com.au/

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Thursday, 10 June 2021

Tapanappa Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 2020

  21:13    

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 through that length, leading to a somewhat straightforward package overall (in the context of its brethren within the portfolio). 91

Tasted on: Sunday 23rd May
Source: Sample
Price: $39
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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Wednesday, 9 June 2021

De Bortoli Melba Amphora Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

  07:30    

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 in its making.

It's both silken, velvet smooth, switching to a fine and tight grain of tannin that acts as a vehicle for a wine of depth to emerge through to its finish.

It's deep, classy and displaying a persistence of flavour through to its lengthy conclusion. A worthy inclusion in any cellar. 94

Tasted on: Wednesday 26th May
Source: Sample
Price: $80
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: DIAM
Website: debortoli.com.au

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Tuesday, 8 June 2021

Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir 2019

  20:26    

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, herbal inflections and even a touch of sarsaparilla in the mix.

The palate is delicate, softly structured with a fine emery tannin. There's a length - subtle at first - building and growing in stature.

A Pinot Noir that will grow with time - if you can keep your hands off. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 3rd June
Source: Sample
Price: $34
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://castlerockestate.com.au/

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Sunday, 18 April 2021

d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Marsanne 2020

  16:27    

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. 88

Tasted on: Wednesday 24th March
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Wednesday, 14 April 2021

Tapanappa Foggy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

  08:30    

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 is exemplary: both fine and minerally. A quiet achiever, needs time or cellaring. 93+

Tasted on: Saturday 6th March
Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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