The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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Friday, 28 August 2020

De Bortoli Grenache Wizardry Grenache Blanc 2020

  16:30    

For me, personally, the pick of the Grenache Wizardry range from De Bortoli, also comprising a Rosé and Grenache Noir.

This example coneys a touch of honey, with straw, grapefruit and zest. 

The palate is fresh and lively, general citrus zip and freshness to it. Latterly an element of what I can best describe as soy wax/ candle comes forth, bringing with it a pithy finish of driving length. 

Fleshy, textural, flavoursome. A big yes from me. Could drink this for days. 92 

 Tasted on: Thursday 30th July 
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Closure: Screwcap
Website: debortoli.com.au

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Heartland Spice Trader Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

  08:30    

As I sit in a suburban setting in one of Brisbane’s inner suburbs, a  cool and somewhat damp day, there’s just something about this wine that allows the imbiber to perhaps be transported elsewhere. 

Upon opening, the wine with earthen notes, topped with dark fruit and a smattering of mint for freshness remind of a walk through an evergreen plantation.

The palate, even at five years, still possesses a freshness and vitality to it, bolstering the mood, lifting the spirits and providing a comely sensation across a spice tinged finish. 89

 Tasted on: Sunday 28th June
Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.heartlandwines.com.au/

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Thursday, 27 August 2020

Harewood Estate Flux VII Pinot Gris Gewürz Riesling 2018

  16:30    

A trio of Alsatian stalwarts, here growing alongside each other in Great Southern's Frankland River. It's comprised of Pinot Gris (60%), Gewurztraminer (30%) and Riesling (10%). 

Certainly an interesting blend. The muskiness of the Gewürz is immediately evident, and flows through to the palate, lending a lively and almost spritz-like bent to things.

The palate has a fine spine of acid, about which hangs a gentle textural play. Gentle is the right word, softly ebbing along to its conclusion. 92 

 Tasted on: Friday 31st July 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://harewood.com.au/

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc Shiraz 2018

  08:30    

Fruity, plummy, touch of that pippy lift that Cabernet Franc can often have. Milk chocolate, sage - certainly that creamy tinge that particular herb lends.

The depth of Shiraz is certainly conveyed, it's well structured, yet fresh. The apparent contradictions of those statements unsurprising to those familiar with these wines. Black fruits soars on the coat tails through the finish, a glorious succulence to the finish. 93 

 Tasted on: Tuesday 4th August 
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Wednesday, 26 August 2020

De Bortoli Grenache Wizardry Heathcote Grenache 2018

  19:05    

It's not too far a stretch for a renowned producer of Pinot Noir out of the Yarra to make a foray into Grenache from the high and volcanic climes of Heathcote. 

Initial heft, of dusky and full plum and damson, suggestions of ripeness with a touch of spice and woodsmoke to set that off.

The palate shows richness and ripeness, yet with a succulence and smoothness across the middle and latter thirds. 


Something like a hint of chocolate, carrying the wine across the finish line. 91 

Tasted on: Wednesday 29th July 
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: debortoli.com.au

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Friday, 21 August 2020

Yelland and Papps Second Take Grenache 2019

  08:30    

A full range of techniques employed here, with varying portions of whole bunch and whole berry, one portion sent to puncheons as whole bunches for carbonic (internal to the grape) maceration. Good work.

The depth of fruit on this release is impressive, throwing this raspberry/ boysenberry vibe that just seemingly permeates and penetrates the nasal cavity.

The succulence that then follows across the palate is equally impressive. Freshness of fruit personified, there's a sour cherry aspect, yet with a spice tinged depth that just takes you on a whirlwind ride across the palate. A perpetual acidity just gives and gives and gives. 94 

 Tasted on: Tuesday 30th June 
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 12.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Thursday, 20 August 2020

Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2020

  16:30    

Challenging conditions up in the Hills in 2020, yet the S+S team has again crafted a Sauvignon Blanc that stands tall amongst producers of the variety in Australia.

It’s nigh crystal clear in glass, yet approach it with a different sense and it offers the unmistakable tropical tinges that one comes to expect from an example such as this. It’s passionfruit, guava and hints of blackcurrant leaf luring in the imbiber.


Rich, playful in the mouth, acid seems dialled back a touch - even though it still clocks in at 12.5%. The well handled phenolics perhaps just providing a foil that provides a finish of more than satisfactory conclusion. 92 

 Tasted on: Tuesday 18th August
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.shawandsmith.com/

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Heartland Shiraz 2018

  08:30    

Opens slightly reductive, veering to meaty pan juices, black fruit with a softer edge of blue fruit. The palate is beautifully balanced, enticing with an almost sweet/savoury mix, both driven by fruit and a complex edge of hedgerow like fruit, supplemented with a just sour tang. 

You'd seek complexity and quality in a wine twice the asking price of this. More than happy to have cracked the screw on this on a Monday night, thinking I was getting a sub-$20 wine. Great drinking. 91 

 Tasted on: Monday 29th June 
Source: Sample
Price: $19
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.heartlandwines.com.au/

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Wednesday, 19 August 2020

Tellurian Heathcote Rosé 2019

  16:30    

A right old mix of fruit here, being: Shiraz 50%, Nero d’Avola 22%, Grenache 15% and Mourvèdre 13%.

Offers gentle red fruit against something like a flint and dried herb backdrop. Bright and fresh line of acidity zips across the palate, casting a textural shadow with it. 

There's spice that adds to the depth and interest, gentle phenolics adding to that. Complexity, interest, downright drinkability. Assured winemaking for sure. Get into it. 93 

 Tasted on: Monday 13th July 
Source: Retail
Price: $23
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.tellurianwines.com.au/

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Blue Pyrenees Estate Shiraz 2017

  08:30    

Throws a solid aroma of blue/black fruited mix, eucalypt accents and solidified with oak, to frame it all up. Medium to full bodied, carries a fine line of powdery tannin that feathers out across the palate. 

The flavours here are familiar with that experienced on the aroma. Blueberry and Chocolate make an appearance, subtle vanilla in the mix too, all flowing on a generous length. Don't feel ashamed in ripping into this now, or if patience is your game then reward with a stint in cellar, up to 8 years. 91 

 Tasted on: Thursday 18th June
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.bluepyrenees.com.au/

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Tuesday, 18 August 2020

De Bortoli Grenache Wizardry Rosé 2019

  16:30    

Highly perfumed, pot pourri floral aromatics. A savoury lurks underneath, a suggestion of woodsy spice supplementing the initial brightness.

Across the palate its wickedly dry, a snap and crackle of acidity with a chalky pucker serve as a soccer player's 1-2, as if to cleanse and yet reel you back in further.

Finishes with a spicy tickle, enhancing the experience a step further. Cracking release. 92 

 Tasted on: Monday 27th July
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: debortoli.com.au

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Tim Adams Lidera Tempranillo 2016

  08:30    

Single Vineyard planting of Tempranillo from the original winery site on Wendouree Rd. Spends two years in new and used (1-2y) oak, comparable to Crianza (check?) in old Rioja money.

The presence of the newer portion of oak is unmistakeable, and yet Tempranillo is a variety that seemingly has an inherent ability to lap it up, to take it in its stride. It provides a support, a comfort blanket that ushers the wine into place. 

The wine itself, unto the palate, is a cherry and cola like manifestation that flows long across the palate. Generous in flavour an intent, its supplemented by a tannin that seemingly straddles both fine, yet with a minor coarseness. 

Seemingly it manages to covey youth and freshness, juxtaposed against what might appear savoury and sterner qualities. Really quite impressive. 94 

 Tasted on: Wednesday 8th July 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.timadamswines.com.au/

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Monday, 17 August 2020

Yelland and Papps Second Take Shiraz 2019

  16:48    

Numbers: Whole bunch (100%), wild ferment; 100% old French for 11m.

Plum and Mulberry depths supported by the delicious whole bunches, that lend spice and savoury nuance to the aromatics. 

Subtlety of fruit carries long across the palate, prime Barossan fruit that is allowed free reign to express itself, unsullied by the shackles of new oak. 

Tannin is fine, a gentle and fulfilling coating across the breadth of palate - you'd suggest some extended maceration here. A very fine release. 92 

 Tasted on: Friday 26th June 
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 13.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yellandandpapps.com/

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Wednesday, 12 August 2020

Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz 2015

  08:30    

A 5yo Shiraz for sub-$20, impressive. Oak remnants, deep plum set fruit. Leafy remnants. 

The palate conveys a freshness, again the oak is present, giving a gloss and sheen - feeling quite fresh, yet solid, for its years. 

 Finishes aplomb with some great depth, jeez you'd sure be happy here for the asking price. 89 

 Tasted on: Friday 26th June
Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.heartlandwines.com.au/

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Tuesday, 11 August 2020

Hastwell and Lightfoot Fat n Skinny Picker's Choice Shiraz Tempranillo Barbera 2017

  21:19    

An unusual blend one must say, and it feels like every part of that mix; dark plummy depths and woodsy spice, with a playful middle providing a counterpoint to the two.

A lighter touch across the palate, a subtle rub of tannin, flowing to a moderate finish. Dark chocolate hints with a slight bitter twist. Playful, enjoyable blend. 90

 Tasted on: Friday 5th June
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://fatnskinny.com.au/

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Monday, 10 August 2020

Yelland and Papps Second Take Vermentino 2019

  16:30    

Envelope purchasers as ever, this Vermentino spending a whopping 313 days on skins, and then successfully engaging the kids press it off. Good engagement.

Beautifully skinsy feel and vibe to it, redolent more like a soured beer - another style I sink readily with pleasure - with something like floral hints supplementing. The palate pervades with a lushness, textually silken, cascading across the palate. 

It contains an edgy acidity, and whilst I personally love that, I suspect it will likely polarise. Yet bring on more divisive styles, forego the foursquare and the vanilla. Celebrate the artisans, the pioneers, the boundary pushers. Bravo! 94 

 Tasted on: Tuesday 30th June
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://yellandandpapps.com/

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Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz 2018

  08:30    

Dark plummy vibes, with something like a nutty and biscuit oak backing up. 

The palate is consistent with the dark fruit profile, supplementing that with spiced nuances and soft tannins that cascade across the palate. 

This wine feels akin to a plush blanket on a cool night, wrapping its charms around the imbiber. The Lake Doctor certainly revives and enlivens, whatever the weather. 91 

 Tasted on: Saturday 20th June
Source: Sample
Price: $27.50
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://zontesfootstep.com.au/

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Sunday, 9 August 2020

Blue Pyrenees Estate Merlot 2017

  20:56    

A blue and black fruit mix, a kiss of vanilla accented oak. Hints of minty
eucalypt. Seemingly quite subtle on the aromatics initially, cool and calm. 

Good structure, fine and chalky tannins provide carry and substance. Fruit presence is there, again that blue and black fruit mix, subtle depth and sustain of finish. Good wine and a good intro to the reds of the house. 88 

Tasted on: Saturday 13th June
Source: Sample
Price: $28 
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.bluepyrenees.com.au/

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Friday, 7 August 2020

Battle of Bosworth Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

  21:35    

McLaren Vale Cabernet has long been a personal guilty pleasure. Yet it seems overlooked - certainly, historically at least, compared to Shiraz and more recently 
with emerging varieties perhaps gaining a foothold. 

A: Battle of Bosworth have been long regarded, both within the region, and more broadly in Australia. An early adopter of organic principles - converting back in 1995 - the winery logo of Soursobs part of that commitment.

Bay and cedar. Inviting from the off. It carries both a seasoning and set to a subtle fruit freshness. 

That's a freshness that carries across the palate. Not without tannin, it possesses structure with fruit presence to make it a compelling proposition. 91 

Tasted on: Friday 29th May
Source: Retail
Price: $10
Alcohol: 14.5% 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.battleofbosworth.com.au/

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