The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson: Barossa Valley

Showing posts with label Barossa Valley. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Barossa Valley. Show all posts

Monday, 10 March 2025

Schild Estate Narrow Road Vineyard Shiraz 2021

09:15 Stu.

From the Narrow Road Vineyard in Rowland Flat, and the site of the original Schild homestead.

It's a typical structured Shiraz - with a decent splash, 28%, of Cabernet Sauvignon - from the Southern end of the Barossa, with deep set aromatics, of cocoa, coffee grounds, burnt ends. Faint edge of Mulberry, blackcurrant in there too.

There's a plushness across the palate, soft and powdery tannin before a length and presence. Lovely inherent balance and energy, finishing long with a resurgence of the creamy blue fruit. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 23rd February
Source: Sample
Price: $95
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Procork
Website: https://www.schildestate.com.au/

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2021 / Barossa Valley / Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz

Monday, 16 October 2023

St Hugo GSM 2022

11:49 Stu.

Black and red fruit against savoury, nutty oak. Some warmed earth in the frame.

There's a freshness, both of fruit - with freshening acidity to cleanse across its length.

A biscuity, roasted/ caramel edge adds an extra dimension to the final flourish. An excellent package overall. Drink to ten years. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 16th September
Source: Sample
Price: $54.99
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.sthugo.com/

2022 / Barossa Valley / grenache / Mataro et al / Shiraz

Tuesday, 27 June 2023

Yalumba Homefulness Shiraz 2021

08:30 Stu.

A collaborative effort between leading family owned winery Yalumba and housing charity Forage Built.

This Shiraz builds on the success of the Grenache of a year or two back, which to date has seen Yalumba donate $60,000 to the charity. Whilst I never reviewed that wine, I certainly did my bit and enjoyed a few cases as a home staple.

Redolent of Barossa Shiraz: mulberry, cassis, hint of baking spice in the frame.

The palate conveys similar, supplemented with a twist of black licorice - as if to firm things up a little. It adds a bitterness through the finish, culminating in an almost espresso grounds like conclusion. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 13th June
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hsfe.com.au/

Website: https://foragebuilt.com.au/

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2021 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Rock of Wisdom Shiraz 2021

08:30 Stu.

Possibly the most straightforward - think regionality and varietal - of the three releases, this does not detract from its quality.

Plum, Mulberry - the palate sees more of the fruit than the nose might suggest.

It's medium, maybe just veering to full. It has the 'just there' touch of the winemaker's - allowing the fruit to shine over artifice - moderate texture flow and spread with a suggestion of structure to lift things. 91

Tasted on: Monday 7th March
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://rock-of-wisdom.myshopify.com/

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2021 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Monday, 14 March 2022

Rock of Wisdom Grenache 2021

08:30 Stu.

Old Vine Grenache, from Peter and Sofi Hiscock.

There's a complexity here that combines a youthful aura married to the depth of flavour that old Vine material brings.

The fruit - raspberry, even a suggestion of blue - sings and works in tandem with that depth of flavour and pull of tannin. There's a throw of acidity that somehow belies its 14.5%

Give it some time and air, for it then further reveals itself with something like chicory root character bound up with burnt orange peel. It's a fascinating exercise in old Vine Grenache with a youthful vogue, interest factor is high. 92

Tasted on: Friday 4th March

Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://rock-of-wisdom.myshopify.com/

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2021 / Barossa Valley / grenache

Monday, 22 November 2021

Ballycroft Small Berry Mataro 2017

08:30 Stu.

2.1t hand harvested on 20th April 2017. Spending18m in shaved out American oak.

The residual oak - from the 18m in re-purposed American - is evident on both the aromatics and across the palate.

It feels right, and deep, and with the warmth of its alcohol and oak vessel.

Fennel pollen on the nose; fruit is present: plum and black cherry depths - for which the variety is renowned - succeed in drawing the imbiber in. It still feels young, even at 3y of age.

Over time it settles, becoming a more composed wine, at ease with itself. The back end sees the addition of Dutch liquorice, adding its mark across the finish. 91

Tasted on: Monday 5th October
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ballycroft.com/

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2017 / Barossa Valley / Mataro et al

Monday, 8 November 2021

Lambert Estate First Chapter Shiraz 2019

08:30 Stu.

Classic Barossa Shiraz in profile. Deep plum, Mulberry, kiss of oak just there.

The palate shows a sweetish fruit profile, firmish grain of tannin and a lick of - well - licorice through the finish. Solid Barossan Shiraz, a crowd pleaser all the way. 90

Tasted on: Saturday 28th August
Source: Sample
Price: $TBC
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.lambertestate.com/

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2019 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Saturday, 12 June 2021

Calabria Three Bridges Grenache 2019

08:30 Stu.

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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2019 / Barossa Valley / grenache

Tuesday, 2 February 2021

Barossa Boy Young Wisdom Mataro 2018

17:57 Stu.

Diam sealed, pretty serious intent coming in a heavy set - deep punted - bottle.

Initially sullen, Mataro needs some air - IMNSHO - to reveal its true colours.

This example itself to be tightly coiled, fine grain of tannin, heft of a wine - subtlety and guile not necessarily the calling cards on first show. That said there's a depth and penetration of flavour, length creeping.

It has the hallmark, needs to open up further. 91++

Tasted on: Wednesday 16th December
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: DIAM
Website: www.barossaboywines.com.au

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#ProjectMataro / 2018 / Barossa Valley / Mataro et al

Monday, 1 February 2021

Ubertas Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

16:30 Stu.

It's a fruitier expression of Chardonnay here, the winery seeking to express character of the variety over
oak. Picked a little earlier, with a somewhat moderate 12.5% alcohol, fermented in tank before half sent to 2nd year French barrels.

Notes of pineapple and melon in the main. Segues to a citrus derived juiciness, dare I suggest it as lime, running long across the palate.

Lacking perhaps the depth and substance of other examples that might score higher, it's freshness and clarity will win many over. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 31st January
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://ubertaswines.com.au/

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2020 / Barossa Valley / Chardonnay

Monday, 18 January 2021

Ballycroft Small Berry French Oak Shiraz 2018

21:55 Stu.

Dare I say, but perhaps the least obvious rendition of the French small berry Shiraz I've had the pleasure of sampling, certainly compared to the overt and brazen American counterpart.

Conveys a blueberry compote over chocolate aspect, and for all its depth there's a freshness and youthful presentation to it.

As the vines with age impart their own mark on the wines of increasingly assured winemaker Joe Evans, there's a meeting of the minds with respect to their presentation. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 13th January
Source: Sample
Price: $ 49
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ballycroft.com/

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2018 / Barossa Valley / Greenock / Shiraz

Thursday, 3 September 2020

JaJa Shiraz 2019

09:30 Stu.

JaJa is owned by the family behind leading online wine retailer Winestar - and maintained as a separate concern. The brand has been going for nearly twenty tears, first opportunity to taste and review on these pages.

A fairly thrill throttle manifestation of Barossa Shiraz, yet one which hides the extent of its stated 15% alcohol very well.

It's meaty on initial opening, giving way to redcurrant and sweeter fruit accents of sugar plum. The palate at stark contrast to that, conveying a silken threaded gloss that easily slides towards the finish.

It's a very well balanced wine, not often you always get to say that with these higher octane examples. Very well played. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 2nd September, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.jaja.com.au/

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2019 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Wednesday, 2 September 2020

Yelland and Papps Devote Shiraz 2017

12:30 Stu.

Fairly rich, sumptuous wine, yet still clocking in at a modest 13.5%.

Plummy depths of a very Barossan Shiraz. Soft, barely there tannin registering across the palate, bringing with it fruit subtley accented with oak remnants.

Waves of flavour hit you, as though immersing yourself under a cascading waterfall of it, seemingly relentless. 93

Tasted on: Friday 3rd July
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yellandandpapps.com/

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2017 / Barossa Valley / Greenock / Shiraz / Single Vineyard

Friday, 21 August 2020

Yelland and Papps Second Take Grenache 2019

08:30 Stu.

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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2019 / Barossa Valley / grenache

Monday, 17 August 2020

Yelland and Papps Second Take Shiraz 2019

16:48 Stu.

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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2019 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Monday, 10 August 2020

Yelland and Papps Second Take Vermentino 2019

16:30 Stu.

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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2019 / Barossa Valley / Vermentino

Thursday, 2 July 2020

Langmeil Blockbuster Shiraz 2017

08:30 Stu.

A dense Plum and Mulberry mix of fruit, consistent across both aroma and palate.

On a cool Autumn eve, this paired well with a simple pan fried grass fed Sirloin, both providing the comfort that such a night demanded.

The palate also conveys a succulence, a fine thread of silken tannin that pulls along a subtle frame of oak in support. It's an oft written cliché that a generous red can be like sinking into a favourite easy chair, yet the soft palate and gentle oak frame of this wine convey just that. 89

Tasted on: Monday 25th May
Source: Retail
Price: $25
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.langmeilwinery.com.au/

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2017 / Barossa Valley / Shiraz

Wednesday, 1 July 2020

Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2017

08:30 Stu.

It seems there's been a subtle shift in the release strategy of Yelland & Papp's Vin de Soif. From previous reviews (notes here) it was typically released some 18 months post-harvest, now something approaching three years. Observation, nothing more.

The blend, being Grenache, Mataro and Carignan, is consitent. The wine itself opens with the fresh, less-is-more, allure of bright, fresh and crunchy Grenache derived red fruit.

Light, open and airy on initial taste, giving way to depth - there's approimately 38% whole bunch used - and crunch on the palate. Jeez, it's been a while between drinks for myself and the 'Soif', yet the thirst remains strong.

This wine is a testament to the quality of fruit and winemaking, freshness personified, released as a 3yo you'd easily be forgiven thinking it a fresh, nouveau style 2020 release. Impressive. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 25th June

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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2017 / Barossa Valley / Carignan / grenache / Mataro et al

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Spinifex Papillon 2019

16:30 Stu.

A double header of sorts, with the 2018 reviewed earlier here. Unsure of the specific blend this vintage so I'll go with what 2018 stated, being Grenache (78%) and Cinsault (22%).

Strength seems to be in a fresh and elegant palate intro that soon gives way to a deeper, tighter middle with a very grain of tannin.

This wine - compared to the 2018 - feels that year younger at this juncture, the vintage was somewhat of a challenge, albeit with exceptional quality and reduced yields. The initial freshness overcomes that youth. However, I'd still consider it a wait proposition at this stage. 91+

Tasted on: Wednesday 20th May
Source: Retail
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://spinifexwines.com.au/

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2019 / Barossa Valley / Cinsault / grenache

Spinifex Papillon 2018

08:30 Stu.

Papillon, from the French for butterfly, a Grenache (78%) and Cinsault blend from Pete Schell and Magali Gely, whose family up until recently were vignerons near Montpellier. Pete himself has worked six vintages across Provence, the Languedoc, Bordeaux and Burgundy.

Soft and subtle, it's black fruit ways wafting gently, supplemented with what would appear to be something like cola cube aromatics. Gentle on entry, a flash of fruit and acid enlivens the palate.

Supple, with a very generous nature that just reels you in. There's a mix of herb, spice and fruit - all bound up in a succulent medium bodied package. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 16th May
Source: Retail
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://spinifexwines.com.au/

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2018 / Barossa Valley / Cinsault / grenache

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