January 2018 ~ The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

Wednesday, 31 January 2018

Zonte's Footstep Scarlet Ladybird Rosé 2017

14:30 Stu.

A Rosé of Cabernet (65%) and Grenache (35%), unusual bedfellows one suggests.

Regardless, berry hints and flecks of spice too. Don't let the colour deceive.

Good fruit and acid balance, the former hitting initially before the latter takes over. Generous length of flavour. Whilst not bone dry, has a sufficient snappiness to it and fullness of body. 89

Tasted on: Monday 22nd January, a Flower to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.zontesfootstep.com.au/

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2017 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Fleurieu Peninsula / grenache / Rosé

The Lane Lois Brut Rose NV

08:30 Stu.

Dunno what Clark would make of this Lois, from The Lane.

Sees a mix of fermentation vessels, ranging from stainless steel (50%), older use French oak (25%) and four and a half thousand litre foudre, being the balance.

The Pinot Noir lends Berry accents to the wine, despite contributing only 10% to the final blend. Presents a clip of acidity that lends a briskness to the wine initially.

There's certainly a sense of energy, but it's not perpetual, with the wine slowing down and carrying a good line of flavour and sense of smoothness to the wine. Good kick-starter to an evening's proceedings. 91

Tasted on: Sunday 21st January, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: DIAM
Website: thelane.com.au

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Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Shottesbrook GSM 2015

14:30 Stu.

Dark, macerated fruit, residual oak hints. Spirited hints at the alcohol within tantalise the nasal cavity.

Berry compote, thick and chewy, you can roll this one around your mouth for what seems an eternity. Fair bit of residual fruit sweetness and alcohol warmth make their presence felt.

Flows easily and you'll certainly not be wanting for flavour. 89

Tasted on: Thursday 18th January, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.shottesbrooke.com.au

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2015 / grenache / Mataro et al / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

The Lane Vineyard Block 14 Shiraz 2016

08:30 Stu.

Unsure when this one is released, 2015 is still up on the website for now. De-stemmed, whole berries on skins, 10% whole bunch. Sent off to used French Puncheons and demi-muids for 9 months.

Exudes the cool: marries a little meatiness, verging on game; Plum, violets and a suggestion of mushroom paste. Delightful balance, inviting.

Deliciously medium bodied, tannin profile sits forward in the palate: fine-grained, yet substantive, positively balloons in the mouth. Whilst the favourable impression is more savoury, the fruit does not escape either, Plum and damson hints balanced against residual old oak tannin.

Such a consistent wine, bravo. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 17th January, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $39
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.thelane.com.au

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2016 / Adelaide Hills / Shiraz

Monday, 29 January 2018

Rowlee Nebbiolo 2016

12:35 Stu.

Nebbiolo that manages to capture the essence of delicate aromatics, rose and stonefruit, and yet convey a sense of being savoury.

Medium bodied - barely - on entry, a gateway to firm tannin and clove spice. The acidity carries a good line of flavour with this cherry and blood orange providing a generous tail of flavour.

Australian Nebbiolo in a very good place. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 21st January, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.rowleewines.com.au

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2016 / nebbiolo / Orange

Sunday, 28 January 2018

Angullong Sauvignon Blanc 2017

17:00 Stu.

Very clean and green smelling on pour, a mix if tropical fruit against a background of that very english of fruits, the gooseberry.

Rock melon body, nicely pitched up acidity - the two working in tandem to deliver a light and refreshing wine on a good length. 89

Tasted on: Sunday 21st January
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.angullong.com.au

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2017 / Orange / Sauvignon Blanc

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2016

13:00 Stu.

The perfect example for what a bit of love applied to Sauvignon Blanc can do. Of course, love alone is not enough.

A chewy one here. You'd almost be happy describing it as unctuous, rich and almost veering to full bodied. Backed up with notes of honey, almond and meal. The oak is noticeable, but it has left its mark in an exemplary manner, supporting the lush ripe fruit.

Another superb release from the Terre à Terre crew. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 21st January
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au

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2016 / Sauvignon Blanc / Wrattonbully

Terre a Terre Down to Earth Sauvignon Blanc 2016

08:30 Stu.

By my calculations, this is the fifth release of this excellent wine from the Terre a Terre crew. Sees some treatment (large oak, time on lees) to build a little complexity and interest in the wine.

Offering up hints of honeyed, poached pear this one certainly invites. If the invitation comes via the aromatics, it's the spiced oak nuances and complexity that are positively all the encouragement one needs to come in, take a seat and make oneself ruddy comfortable.

Melon, spice and a mere suggestion of vanilla creme long leave a lasting impression. Quite simply outstanding value. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 21st January
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au

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2016 / Sauvignon Blanc / Wrattonbully

Saturday, 27 January 2018

Mino & Co Botrytis Semillon 2013

14:30 Stu.

Tropical Fruits, honeyed.

Layered, sweetness, unctuous. Rich and balances the sweet, with body. Perhaps not the depth of flavour, but works well with sweet food (in this instance a lemon mascarpone Pavlova) 89

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd December

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://minoandco.com.au

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2013 / Riverina / Semillon

d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Era Mencia 2017

08:30 Stu.

Second release of a Mencia as a varietal, from the d'Arenberg crew.

Mencia is interesting and this example is no exception. The wine in question combines a dark fruit mix against an - almost - sulphurous and slightly reductive edge. Primary, somewhat raw, like a fermenting mass. In your glass. Intriguing, inviting.

Light to medium bodied, dark and brooding. Possesses a charred edge, like grilled capsicums. The tannin profile provides a coarser edge to the wine's initial lightness, a welcoming contrast.

A bit arms and legs, pleasurable experience nonetheless. 89

Tasted on: Thursday 30th November, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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2017 / McLaren Vale / Mencia

Friday, 26 January 2018

Ferngrove Majestic Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

14:30 Stu.

Delicate Cabernet on offer here. Assured, in how it delivers its notes of cedar, supplemented with subtle suggestions of sage, blackcurrant and even a little milk chocolate.

Deliciously medium bodied, a fine lick of tannin that makes its presence known early, travelling long and broad across the palate. There’s a little of the pencil shaving oak present too, well handled.

Delivers reasonably well on the finish, although more for now than the cellar. 2017-2022 89

Tasted on: Sunday 26th November, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.ferngrove.com.au

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2015 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Frankland River / Great Southern

Wirra Wirra Angelus Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

08:30 Stu.

Residual oak sits over a herbal, think sage and Perhaps bay, core. Comes across tight, somewhat stern, on the nose initially.

Juicy palate, acid a little prominent for what is a premium offering. Somewhat swamps the fruit initially, and yet also aids carriage of substantive length.

Tannins are grainy, fine to medium, again giving length and presence. Needs to come together. 91+

Tasted on: Wednesday 29th November, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $70
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.wirrawirra.com

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2015 / Cabernet Sauvignon / McLaren Vale

Thursday, 25 January 2018

Barossa Boy Little Tacker GSM 2016

15:00 Stu.

The Barossa boy in question is Trent Burge, son of stalwart Grant. Barossa Boy is Trent's solo outing with an initial release consisting of this GSM, A Cab/Shiraz, with a Mataro to follow in the new year (2018) A dark core, leathery and earthen with fruit accents, a black fruited mass.

Smooth and supple on entry, spicey - a little clove and black pepper. The tannin profile is somewhat coarse, broad grained with a lingering licorice presence on a good length. 90

Tasted on: Tuesday 28th November, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.barossaboywines.com.au

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2016 / Barossa Valley / grenache / Mataro et al / Shiraz

Yelland & Papps Sete di Vino Primitivo Barbera 2016

14:30 Stu.

This Italianate blend is often a winner, the herbal inflections sitting over a darker chicory-licorice-mulberry core just offers a mix of aromatics to entice.

The palate offers a wine of medium body and good acidity that can clean up. A fine rub of tannin, a dark - almost chocolatey heart - sits well against the fruit.

Solid offering. 90

Tasted on: Saturday 25th November, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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2016 / Barbera / Barossa Valley / Primitivo

Wednesday, 24 January 2018

Ferngrove Cossack Riesling 2017

19:40 Stu.

Preserved lemons, grapefruit, floral hints, suggestions of vanilla. Lots going on, lots to entice with.

A veritable burst of flavour, an explosion if you like. Lemons, lime, grapefruit. Theres a zestiness that provides some zing and a powdery phenolic texture for extra grip. It reminds - in flavour and texture - or orange barley water, a cordial like drink that I long associate with the Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon.

Back to the wine, it's everything you want in a Riesling, bloody delicious. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 24th January
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.ferngrove.com.au

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2017 / Frankland River / Great Southern / riesling

Rymill gt Gewurztraminer 2017

14:30 Stu.

Has the muskiness one expects of the variety, married to a little of the lychee fruit.

The palate is interesting, lean with an acidic pitch and phenolic edge that don't necessarily ignite. I paired this with a Tom Kha Gai that initially worked well, yet subsequently was found wanting.

Taking this for a spin on Day 2, the aromatics settling - still the muskiness, a little rose water into the frame with supplementary vanilla bean. The palate has certainly eased into itself, the acid also somewhat subsiding, the phenolics a little coarser in contrast. Based on second taste 89

Tasted on: Saturday 25th November, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: Dunno
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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2017 / Coonawarra / Gewürztraminer

Cape Jaffa Samphire 2016

08:30 Stu.

Skin contact white wine from the Limestone Coast. Predominantly Chardonnay, spends 6m on skins and then a further 6 in barrel.

Comes across with this Creamy, almost Vanilla edge. Musky hints, almond paste, certainly much going on.

Textural, chewy and thick for ostensibly a white wine. Richly spiced, almost gingery, a veritable explosion of flavour in the mouth. Hints of the almond, cinnamon, almost reminding of something like a liebkuchen biscuit.

Certainly challenges and I'm not particularly sure i could consume anything more than a glass at this point. Time may pose a different opinion 91+

Tasted on: Saturday 28th October, a Root day

Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website:

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2016 / Chardonnay / Limestone Coast / Skin Contact

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Lowe Headstone Rosé 2017

14:30 Stu.

Blend of Grenache, Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Gris.

An attractive aromatic mix here, as perhaps belies its composition. All too often there's a tendency to go chasing specific aromatics, when instead a general floral perhaps may suffice. A suggestion of mango skin.

A gentle mineral tickle, soft entry - the wine sitting comfortably in the palate. It's dry without any associated hardness, or firmness, certainly a wine at ease with itself. Adroitly handled. 91

Tasted on: Wednesday 27th September, a Root day

Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 11.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: lowewine.com.au

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2017 / grenache / Merlot / Mudgee / Pinot Gris / Rosé / Zinfandel

d'Arenberg The Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2013

08:30 Stu.

Can almost sense the furry little, sensuous berries of the raspberries on this one. It's cracking McLaren Vale Grenache, with the marriage of berry fruit with an underlying chocolate suggestion.

Yes it might not be in the modern vogue - that being toward a lighter, almost Pinot-esque style, but it ticks many a box regardless. Succulent, sweet fruited, without being overtly so, it punches at a good weight and length. 89

Tasted on: Tuesday 19th September, a Fruit day

Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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2013 / grenache / McLaren Vale

Monday, 22 January 2018

Mr Mick Tempranillo 2015

14:21 Stu.

Good value in the Mr Mick range, retailing full-tote at under $20. This is my pick from the bunch.

Coffee grounds, mocha-like notes, choc-blueberry hints latently sitting.

Smooth, tastes a bit like that vanilla coke you could buy a way back. Has some fruit in the mix and a rub of tannin across the palate that gives some grip and shape. Goes alright with its fleshy come-hither ways. 89

Tasted on: Tuesday 12th September, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://mrmick.com.au/

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2015 / Clare Valley / Tempranillo

Ferngrove Dragon Shiraz 2015

08:30 Stu.

Interesting mix of aromatics here, bit reductive, combining the fruit and the savoury. Inherently black fruited at its heart, blackcurrant purple florals thrown in. The savoury is in the form of woody spice.

It's a mix seen on the palate too: sweet black fruit dominates, possibly too sweet. Oak derived tannin flows mid-palate and bolsters the wine in its final third. But it needs air and time. 88

Tasted on: Monday 18th September, a Leaf to Fruit day

Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.ferngrove.com.au

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2015 / Frankland River / Shiraz

Sunday, 21 January 2018

Mitchell Harris Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2016

16:30 Stu.

Leads with a creamy, almost bruleé character, with aromatics of lime and perhaps a suggestion of fennel tops (but that could be the salad we'd made for dinner...)

Has a richness, depth, lovely grip. Hints of spice on an excellent length. 93

Tasted on: Saturday 20th January 2018
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://mitchellharris.com.au/

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2016 / Pyrenees / Sauvignon Blanc

Bremerton Coulthard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

14:45 Stu.

Cracking classic Cabernet: cedar, oak, blackcurrant. It's soft in its form, perhaps doughy oak.

Fruit is the primary factor on the palate. Again i was drawn to the word soft , a pillowy - cushioned - entry into the palate. The fruit again present, not a dominating force, sitting well against moderate tannin.

Really its an easy drinking, uncomplicated take on Cabernet. Good drinking for sure. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 7th September, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.bremerton.com.au/

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2015 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Langhorne Creek

Bremerton Battonage Shiraz Malbec 2015

08:30 Stu.

Not what I'd consider the most natural bedfellows, just based on a personal lack of awareness of their co-existence. Nonetheless the somewhat smokey Malbec combined with dusky, plummy fruit is a good combination. Throw oak in the mix and you've a particularly attractive proposition.

Fermented and matured in oak for 14 months with battonage on the Malbec - in the wineries eyes - to build complexity. It's quite fine in its initial proposition, a silken medium bodied thing with an ultra fine grain of tannin that makes itself known.

Something like a milk chocolate, vanilla and berry composition on the finish gives a lasting memory. Good all rounder. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 6th September, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.bremerton.com.au/

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2015 / Langhorne Creek / Malbec / Shiraz

Saturday, 20 January 2018

Wirra Wirra Hiding Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2017

18:08 Stu.

Wirra Wirra seem to have got the handle on the Hiding Champion this vintage. The passionfruit and gooseberry are the champ's calling card this vintage, seemingly eschewing the herb and grassiness that can often dog the variety.

There's a juicy, limey, sour tang to proceedings to the wine. It all just hangs off of a good line. Almost like Sauv Blanc for Riesling lovers (or made by a Riesling lover). 92

Tasted on: Saturday 20th January 2018
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Srewcap
Website: www.wirrawirra.com

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2017 / Adelaide Hills / Sauvignon Blanc

Mr Mick Riesling 2017

14:30 Stu.

Classic lime, kaffir - something suggestive of an oiliness. Bath salts. In summary a good Riesling profile.

Juicy acid ahoy! Has a bid of width and spread about it. Then that acid, at first sip its almost searing in its intensity. Not the most going on mind, but lazer like focus will have this slaking the most stubborn of thirsts for sure. 88

Tasted on: Sunday 17th September, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: mrmick.com.au

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2017 / Clare Valley / riesling

Cook's Lot Allotment 333 Riesling 2017

09:28 Stu.

Hints of green apple, blossom, florals, with a musky lime. Bath salt, lemon balsam - the aromatics certainly invite. The palate possesses more of a delicacy than the aromatics might suggest.

A pervasive tickle of minerality, citrus driven persistent length. Good cool climate Riesling from the elevations of Orange. 90

Tasted on: Friday 19th January, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.cookslot.com.au/

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2017 / Orange / riesling

Yelland & Papps Devote Sparkling Vermentino 2016

08:30 Stu.

I love how a good Vermentino can simply evoke this marine spirit; being of the sea, with its briny-cum-sea spray on air character, in tandem with all things spring-laden and green. Well, it does so to this hack anyway.

On pour, it's a lively mousse, somewhat aggressively dancing and foaming across the surface. Take it unto yourself, a pronounced chalky citrus on entry, cascading and flowing gently across the palate. A gentle tickle with a fine bead enlivens this further. A delight, and the best I have seen it. 92

Tasted on: Friday 12th January, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 11.6%
Closure: Crown Seal
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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2016 / Barossa Valley / Sparkling / Vermentino

Friday, 19 January 2018

Tapanappa Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 2016

12:30 Stu.

All stonefruit, supplemented - bolstered even - with a small portion of new (33%) oak. Wheaten and mealy, has the lovely golden suggestion of the setting sun.

Feels fleshy, almost chewy on entry. Not quite plump, rounded - not chiselled. That occurs elsewhere in the portfolio. Solid, some might say.

Balanced, nothing over the top, flavoursome to the very end - where a flash of citrussy acidity is actually quite welcome. 92

Tasted on: Monday 11th September, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $39
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au

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2016 / Adelaide Hills / Chardonnay

Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Noir 2016

08:30 Stu.

Deep, heady, black and sour cherry in the mix here. Spiced, richly, almost ginger cake like, cinnamon (warmer year?). Certainly inviting.

Soft, generous, the spice a presence on the palate that builds, supplementing a dried earth and forest floor complexity.

The back palate sees things ratchet up a notch, a little cranberry acidity whipping up the spice, soft grain of tannin. Another superb example. 92

Tasted on: Monday 4th September, a Root day

Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au

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2016 / Mornington Peninsula / pinot noir

Thursday, 18 January 2018

Ferngrove Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

12:30 Stu.

Easy-going Cabernet on offer. Certainly offers classic Cabernet character without being too stern: cedary oak, cassis. All flowing nicely onto a palate that offers that and more.

Subtle licorice twists add an additional layer of complexity to the wine. Powdery but firm tannin provides a solid platform for the aniseed twists to flow on to the finish. 89

Tasted on: Sunday 3rd September, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ferngrove.com.au

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2015 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Frankland River

Old Jarvie The Even Hand GMS 2016

08:30 Stu.

The blend being 50/45/5 respectively.

Choc-fudge meets tilled earth and spice. More about the savoury for me, though fruit presence is noted. Mediums-veering-to full bodied, chewy wine as you roll it across the palate.

Grainy tannin, has a licorice/fennel twist towards its back end, hints of pepper. The depth of Mataro really filling out the mid-palate with the sensual Grenache giving the lift and fruit. Good length, easy-going. 90

Tasted on: Friday 1st September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.oldjarvie.com.au/

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2016 / grenache / Mataro et al / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Wednesday, 17 January 2018

d'Arenberg Stephanie The Gnome With Rose Tinted Glasses Shiraz Sangiovese Rosé 2017

12:20 Stu.

It wouldn't have surprised me if the title for this one broke the field length validation rules of the underlying database for this 'site.....

Classic Berry leads here, with herbal tints. It's not particularly pronounced, or overt, no bad thing IMO. Rounded palate entry, initial hints of very fruit sweetness against a balancing savoury aspect.

The lasting memory is of berry fruit tied to a skinsy phenolic feel. Good wine; fun and no-nonsense. 87

Tasted on: Friday 1st September
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 11.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: darenberg.com.au

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2017 / McLaren Vale / sangiovese / Shiraz

Hither & Yon Petit Blanc 2017

08:30 Stu.

Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains (aka Frontignac). Soft, inviting, expressly aromatic: characteristic musk and rose.

Interesting palate composition, fruit obviously present and set against a backdrop of mouth-watering acid with a powdery, drying phenolic grip. Plenty going on. The grip gives a real sense of lasting presence.

It doesn't finish there, a dilute sense of lemon lingers long too. Refreshment plus here. 89

Tasted on: Friday 1st September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hitherandyon.com.au/

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2017 / McLaren Vale / Muscat Blanc

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Out of Step Wine Co. Willowlake Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016

14:30 Stu.

"Pinot has long been on the agenda. We certainly drink a bit of the stuff. But it’s a challenging variety to make & site plays an enormous part in its expression. So there’s been no rush until the right opportunity presented itself."

Black cherry, wild strawberry, the Berry aromatics have it all going on here. Initially feels substantive in the mouth, almost chewy, perhaps a by-product of a slightly warmer year. A liveliness then takes over, has a vibe that makes one think of a more natural bent, with some minor bunch inclusion.

Excellent length, giving. Minerality, fine and powdery tannin that urges the wine on further. Downright drinkability on offer here. A fantastic debut foray into a PN release under their own label. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 30th August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $33
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.outofstepwineco.com/

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2016 / pinot noir / Yarra Valley

Rock of Wisdom Shiraz Viognier 2016

08:30 Stu.

Always the more serious proposition within the RoW portfolio to my mind. Dark, earthen, leathery, perhaps a touch pruney. Spice accents sit atop, as if to provide a seasoning to the wine. There's more than a hint of creamy vanilla that gently, with some glass time, emanates from glass.

At odds to that is a medium bodied palate, at turns minerally-graphite in feel with slick fruit, juicy. A wine at ease and carrying itself with good conviction.

Interestingly I feel the Viognier shows its hand more toward the back palate. Good wine, again. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 29th August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://rock-of-wisdom.myshopify.com

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2016 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz / Viognier

Monday, 15 January 2018

Old Jarvie The Saviour Tempranillo Monastrell Garnacha 2016

12:30 Stu.

Temp leading the way: classic Berry driven aroma, a suggestion of rhubarb. Bright and inviting.

Succulent middle, fruit singing; bolder towards the final third with the Mataro adding depth and spice. Plenty of flesh on the bones too, delicious, juicy and moreish. Dangerous trifecta. 91

Tasted on: Sunday 27th August, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.oldjarvie.com.au/

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2016 / grenache / Mataro et al / McLaren Vale / Tempranillo

Jacobs Creek Classic Riesling 2017

08:30 Stu.

I shit you not, a bottle of wine purchased for a touch under 6 clams. It speaks well aromatically - pronounced lime, hints of florals,

Citrus and zest on the palate, quite sharp and severe - though I do have to remind myself it's sub $6 a bottle. It's vaguely varietal, in that crisp, fresh manner. Fairly linear, short. Would you regret drinking it? No, not by a long-shot. $6, I ask you. 86

Tasted on: Sunday 27th August, a Flower day
Source: Retail (Dan's)
Price: $5.90
Alcohol: 11.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.jacobscreek.com/

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2017 / riesling / South East Australia

Sunday, 14 January 2018

Bernard Baudry Les Granges Chinon 2015

12:30 Stu.

Opens with what I can best describe as bucolic aromas: unspoiled, leading to gamey hints. The palate at odds to that: light, lithe, supple and juicy. A hint of the savoury and of the rustic in the mix.

Good length, of spice and fruit. Interesting getting my eye in to vins, somewhat, nature. 88

Tasted on: Friday 15th December, a Flower day
Source: Retail, Frenchie
Price: $25 approx.
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://bernardbaudry.com/en/

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2015 / Cabernet Franc / Chinon / Loire

d'Arenberg Bonsai Vine GSM 2015

08:30 Stu.

A new one for me, but it appears to have been around some time. Of course the Ironstone Pressings is d'Arenberg's premium GSM, not a bad older sibling to look up to.

Good and generous mix of red fruit aromatics on offer here. Soapy hints, red frogs, veering to earthen hints. Medium bodied, supple - classic tannin profile, moderate grain, good structure. Little carry of macerated fruit through the middle. But really just a bloody good all round drinking package. 90

Tasted on: Friday 1st December, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol:
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.darenberg.com.au

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2014 / grenache / Mataro et al / McLaren Vale / Shiraz

Saturday, 13 January 2018

Mino & Co A Growers Touch Shiraz 2016

12:30 Stu.

New producer to me, not entirely sure how they came across my doorstep mind. Lovely packaging and concept, honouring the growers that deliver the fruit that make up the wine.

Carries the leather and earthen elements of Shiraz, combined with floral hints (lavender, violets) with spirity top notes.

Medium bodied. Has a soft, open and airy feel to it. Berry fruit sweetness and juicy to boot. Light and easy. 86

Tasted on: Sunday 3rd December, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://minoandco.com.au

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2016 / Riverina / Shiraz

Zonte's Footstep 'Lady Marmalade' Vermentino 2017

08:30 Stu.

Green apple, freshly podded peas, snow pea tendril, briny-seaspray-on the wind scents. Wonderfully aromatic, capturing the essence of the variety.

Lavish in its initial offering, full - glycerol almost. Grapefruit, curd, a suggestion of passionfruit - somewhat unusually.

It's fresh, expressly so, and that is its primary offer. It delivers freshness in spades, even if it lacks the complexity of better examples. Very enjoyable. 89

Tasted on: Thursday 11th January, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.zontesfootstep.com.au/

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2017 / Fleurieu Peninsula / Vermentino

Friday, 12 January 2018

Rymill Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

12:36 Stu.

Cellar release from Coonawarra stalwart Rymill. My change at this winery over the last year or so, much change. Still, it's what inside that counts, eh?

Colour is showing a little development at 5yo. Aroma-wise, it's still pretty fresh, throwing the shackles off and avoiding the excesses of eucalypt that can dominate this region.

Instead, it's all cedar and bay leaf. There are hints of fruit, sitting quietly in the background. Squarely medium bodied. A little of the acid still haunts through the final third. It's an exercise in restraint, that aside. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th December, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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2012 / Cabernet Sauvignon / Coonawarra

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