The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson

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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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Tuesday, 14 February 2023

Lapis Luna Zinfandel 2020

  14:34    

Char and toast, bold aromas, certainly not subtle. It's Zinfandel - a staple of Northern California,
here  specifically the North Coast/Mendocino region, the wine sees a mix of French and American oak, a small portion (10%) new.

A lightness on the palate, sweeter edged - showing its alcohol for sure against firm tannins. Reasonable length, but it feels a little unsettled and I'm not convinced it's going to improve beyond where it's at.

For those that love them fuller in profile - go now for up to three years. 88

Tasted on: Tuesday 18th October
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.9%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Harewood Estate Great Southern Riesling 2022

  08:29    

This is the entry level Riesling from Harewood Estate - a producer that explores a range of sub-regional Riesling to such excellence.

Lime pith, green melon, a floral note - steely reserve under that initial aromatic introduction.

Quite austere, yielding little. There's a length and generosity of intent - but hard to nail its colours to the mast when I find such expression elsewhere in the range. 90+

Tasted on: Friday 28th October
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://harewood.com.au/

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Monday, 13 February 2023

Break Free Petite Blancs 2022

  08:22    

Swan Valley Chenin Blanc with Margaret River Chardonnay and Frankland River Gewurztraminer.

Unfiltered, giving it a Barley water-esque haze - something I don't mind in a wine, but shits me no end in a beer.

Plenty of interest mind: musky aromatics, pear juice dribbling across the palate, creamy almond in the mix too.

There's a creamy mid-palate with spikes of acidity. Certainly not your run of the mill white and all the more interesting for it. The sum of the parts and all that. 

Tasted on: Thursday 9th February
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

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Sunday, 12 February 2023

De Bortoli Ti Amo Fiano 2022

  11:01    

Fiano from across plantings in both the King Valley and Rutherglen, making this a 'Wine of Victoria'.

Lemons and a briny whiff on immediate introduction. Certainly smells the part.

The palate conveys a freshness, by way of nashi pear, creamy nuts, with a harder aspect of minerally acidity that forms the spine for the wine.

It's fresh, Spring-like vibe will certainly grace any table and kick off a gathering. 89

Tasted on: Saturday 11th February
Source: Sample
Price: $19.95
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.debortoli.com.au/

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Thursday, 9 February 2023

Robert Stein Half Dry Riesling RS15 2022

  08:52    

Fruit from neighbouring GI Orange is used to make this off-dry Riesling from Mudgee based Robert Stein. 

Apple, mango, citrus - all combine on the nose and provide the lead in to a palate with a moderate sweetness.

A minerally vein gives the wine greater presence through the mid and final thirds. Delicately balanced, the sweeter edge works within itself, textured not cloying. 93

Tasted on: Tuesday 8th November
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.robertstein.com.au/

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Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Tessera Peggy Sue Sparkling Pinot Noir NV

  08:42    

Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir fizz, made in the Charmat (tank fermented) method. From husband and wife negociant team who source across the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale regions.

You can't call a wine Peggy Sue and not expect a "pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty" reference thrown in! A delicate blush in glass draws the eye, the nose lead-in with a kiss of summer berry.

Creamy mouthfeel, coarser effervescence - lending a cleansing feel to the palate. You'd suspect Peggy Sue would be just the girl to kick off a party - you know the type. 90

Tasted on: Saturday 4th February
Source: Gift
Price: $26.66
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: DIAM
Website: https://tesserawines.com.au/

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Tuesday, 7 February 2023

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Grenache 2022

  10:05    

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/

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Monday, 6 February 2023

Yalumba Eden Valley Chardonnay 2020

  08:24    

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

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Friday, 3 February 2023

Angullong Fossil Hill Montepulciano 2021

  12:45    

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

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Thursday, 2 February 2023

Sunlight by Oxford Landing Shiraz 2021

  08:39    

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/

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Wednesday, 1 February 2023

Amigo de La Tierra 2021

  12:49    

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/

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Tuesday, 31 January 2023

Harewood Estate Chardonnay 2019

  14:45    

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/

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Wednesday, 25 January 2023

La Sorda Rioja 2020

  08:56    

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 

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Tuesday, 24 January 2023

Apricus Hill Chardonnay 2021

  15:30    

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/

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Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2021

  10:04    

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/

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Monday, 23 January 2023

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc Shiraz 2019

  12:08    

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/

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Friday, 20 January 2023

Angullong Fossil Hill Rosé 2022

  08:53    

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/

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Thursday, 19 January 2023

The Little Wine Company Vermentino 2022

  08:58    

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/  

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Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Castle Rock Porongurup Riesling 2022

  08:50    

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/   

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Tuesday, 17 January 2023

La Sorda Rioja Reserva 2015

  08:47    

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/

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