Huntington Estate Special Reserve Grenache 2022

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Grenache 2022

  10:05    Stu.

---

Floral and berry lead Grenache on offer here, a little warmed earth beneath, in an attractive package clocking in at sub-14% alcohol.

A suppleness on entry, barely there tannin that talks to minimal extraction. It's polished and feels somewhat slick as it glides across the palate, layered as it flows through to the finish. Juicy berry derived flavours swell the wine's presence through the mid and final thirds. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 30th October
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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

Read More

Yalumba Eden Valley Chardonnay 2020

Yalumba Eden Valley Chardonnay 2020

  08:24    Stu.

---

Grapefruit and lemon-citrus lead-in. Feels familiar on the palate, with an expansive and textural feel.

Residual old oak hint, a minerally suggestion on a generous length. A good all-rounder. 90

Tasted on: Friday 18th November
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: Yalumba.com

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

Read More

Angullong Fossil Hill Montepulciano 2021

Angullong Fossil Hill Montepulciano 2021

  12:45    Stu.

---

Bright perfume, of cherry and blueberry - supplemented with a darker heart.

The palate conveys that brightness of fruit, a fine tannin - on a length that seems unyielding. A testament to the quality of the wine, overlooking minor spikes of warmth.

Much has been said about the Orange region and what its "hero" varieties may be, Angullong may well be putting down a marker in that conversation, by flying the flag with these varieties of Italian origin. 93

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd February

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: angullong.com.au

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

Read More

Sunlight by Oxford Landing Shiraz 2021

Sunlight by Oxford Landing Shiraz 2021

  08:39    Stu.

---

35% lower in alcohol and calories than the standard Oxford Landing Shiraz. Reflecting a general trend toward lower alcohol consumption. 

Berry fruit, dark chocolate, touch up of oak. Solid Shiraz credentials on aromatics alone.

Slick feeling across the palate, seems quite sweet in the way it presents itself. Loose and light presence. 87

Tasted on: Friday 18th November
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.oxfordlanding.com/

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

Read More

Amigo de La Tierra 2021

Amigo de La Tierra 2021

  12:49    Stu.

---

Organic Grenache and Tempranillo blend from a broader 'Wine of Spain' designation.

Dark Berry fruit with something like a balsamic edge. It's deep and showing its warmer clime origins in spite of that 13.5% alcohol.

Slick, full bodied feel, yet with a lightness across the palate at odds to that. It's dry, on a moderate length - with remnants of that boozy warmth at its conclusion. 88

Tasted on: Wednesday 23rd November
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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

Read More

Harewood Estate Chardonnay 2019

Harewood Estate Chardonnay 2019

  14:45    Stu.

---

Smells golden, like sunshine - supplemented by stonefruit, citus.  

Slick, slippery palate - it glides across the tongue. There's a rougher edge at its conclusion, phenolics and remnants of French oak. Seems of its parts for now, would expect it to come together over time, as those burrs soften. 91

Tasted on: Friday 25th November  
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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

Read More

La Sorda Rioja 2020

La Sorda Rioja 2020

  08:56    Stu.

---

Baked raspberry over earth warmed by a summer sun. Remnants of oak - in a supporting role - with bay
and woody herb.

Lovely powdery, drying tannins here - still with a freshness and vitality across the length. Delivers in spades, all too often Rioja can come across as tired and dusty, not so here. A tidy offering. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 26th November
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.26%
Closure: Cork
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com 

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

Read More

Apricus Hill Chardonnay 2021

Apricus Hill Chardonnay 2021

  15:30    Stu.

---

Rich, ripe peach, French oak, citrus. Cracking elements of a Chardonnay.

Grapefruit across the palate, there's a generosity and weight to it - a certain palate presence. It needs a little time to come together, smooth some of the edges. 

Give it six to twelve months, where I suggest its best window is 2023-2030. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 27th November
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://harewood.com.au/

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

Read More

Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2021

Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2021

  10:04    Stu.

---

Sangiovese literally translates to something like "Blood of Jove", and sometimes - like here - a good example carries just a faint metallic whiff and edge of bloodstock.

That said, it's savoury edge gives way to a briary aspect - bolstered with blueberry fruit, violets and the freshening acidity thereof through the palate.

There's much interest here, soft tannins delivering a generous , moreish length. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 22nd January
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://angullong.com.au/

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

Read More

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc Shiraz 2019

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc Shiraz 2019

  12:08    Stu.

---

I recently (January 2023) had the opportunity to re-visit this wine, and in doing so noticed I had neglected
to post this original note from February 2022. Note below is primarily from the original tasting, minor supplementals from the re-appraisal.

It's a 68/32 split of the two, being Cabernet Franc and Shiraz respectively.

It's fine boned, the emphasis being on a structure, not over-worked or extracted. The degree of finesse what stood out when re-tasted per the introduction.

Yes there's the requisite markers of red fruit and a little chocolate in the mix, but exquisitely fine tannins,  a generosity of flavour and a finesse are the stand out qualities. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 6th February
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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

Read More

Angullong Fossil Hill Rosé 2022

Angullong Fossil Hill Rosé 2022

  08:53    Stu.

---

It sings Sangiovese!

Rose petal, dried raspberry - a touch of tart cranberry.

Freshness personified on aromatics; dry and minerally across a long palate.

There's a broad appeal about this wine: both to be supped languidly, or raced through with ease and to demand a second bottle. Good gear.

92

Tasted on: Thursday 19th January
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.angullong.com.au/

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

Read More

The Little Wine Company Vermentino 2022

The Little Wine Company Vermentino 2022

  08:58    Stu.

---

Chalky citrus, saline whiff - like warm sun on sea kissed rocks.

Citrus, pithy, minerally edge - with an orange twist coursing through the finish. A summery delight. Give it a crack with some Oysters, or fried Whitebait. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 29th November
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.thelittlewinecompany.com.au/

Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/  

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

Read More

Castle Rock Porongurup Riesling 2022

Castle Rock Porongurup Riesling 2022

  08:50    Stu.

---

Tropical lead-in with this crafted Riesling from Great Southern and the hands of Rob Diletti.

Lemons, Yuzu, subtle blossoms all offer up an aroma that is sure to delight and satisfy.

Bracing acidity against a pithy edge; cascading waves of refreshment deliver and entice successively - creating great drive and length. Refreshment plus! 93

Tasted on: Thursday 29th December
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol:11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://castlerockestate.com.au/

Sample Courtesy of: https://definewine.com.au/   

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

Read More

La Sorda Rioja Reserva 2015

La Sorda Rioja Reserva 2015

  08:47    Stu.

---

At seven years of age it maintains a presence, one that balances a Fruit freshness - albeit fading - against the savoury depths, of oak and age.

The palate throws a lingering lick of vanilla over blue fruit; cocoa powder tannin sworls, filling the expanse of the oral cavity - before concluding on a gentle, ebbing length. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 29th November
Source: Sample
Price: $65
Alcohol: TBA
Closure: Cork
Sample Courtesy of:  https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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

Read More