The Vinsomniac - Stuart Robinson: Barossa

Showing posts with label Barossa. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Barossa. Show all posts

Saturday, 24 August 2024

earthworks Barossa Shiraz 2022

08:00 Stu.

Hill-Smith Family Estate label sold through Coles brand liquor stores and some listings.

Bramd update has reflected a greater emphasis on connections to the growers that supply the fruit, connection tot hose that - pardon the creative license - work the earth.

Plum, mulberry, Char and charred meat.

Slickness across the palate, a glide and ease through the middle. Slight drying quality, on a good length. Quaffable. Mid-week barbecue, minute steaks and a tray of Cumberland snags. 89

Tasted on: Thursday 18th July
Source: Sample
Price: $12-20
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap

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2022 / Barossa / Shiraz

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Chateau Yaldara Moscato NV

15:01 Stu.

Fresh on approach: Subtle rose water, pear and green apple skins. Slight sorbet like zestiness to proceedings. I'd perhaps unfairly - snobbishly - left this in the sample pile.

There's a gentle spritz, a certain mid-palate sweetness, a tickle of citrus.

The sugar is certainly there, in excess of 50g residual, yet it has a balance to it. Depending on your preference, this could either go as a gentle afternoon cleanser, or as some prefer pair with a contrasting cheese. 89

Tasted on: Thursday 10th September
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 9$
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.1847wines.com/

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Barossa / Moscato / NV

Wednesday, 30 October 2019

Pirate Cru William Hunt Shiraz 2015

21:55 Stu.

William Hunt Shiraz from the Pirate Cru. To get a true feel for a wine and its metier, meet the maker. I must have had the pleasure of knowing Dirk and Jen from the Cru for something approaching 8-9 years now, yet they continually surprise!

Here a deep and Dark Barossan Shiraz to its very core, or Plum and Mulberry - just sitting over earthen and chocolate notes. The palate medium to dull, hints of chocolate and smatterings of rasoebtty / red fruit softening things up.

Still at 4 years it's primary, and fresh - and I'd wager for 10-15y ahead of it. 93

Tasted on: Saturday 21st September, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.piratecru.com.au/

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2015 / Barossa / Shiraz

Tuesday, 4 December 2018

St Hugo Shiraz 2015

11:30 Stu.

St Hugo's way, lead with the oak (and it's French, all 70% of it).

It's a marker, a house style if you wish. Blackcurrant, Plum, the vanillin oak - there, again. Black. Fruit and sweet oak remnants, singular and solid. Whether that oak settles into itself remains to be seen. 90+

Tasted on: Friday 5th October
Source: Sample
Price: $54.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.sthugo.com

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2015 / Barossa / Shiraz

Wednesday, 8 August 2018

Edenflo Old Vine Syrah 2017

13:00 Stu.

Satsuma Plum meets orange oil infusion - is like an essential oil enthusiasts favourite wine. Pretty in the aromatics, jocularity aside.

Succulent on entry, depth and and intensity of flavour with persistent tannins that roll through the palate. At once its both succulent and also firm in how it presents itself.

Quite superb drinking. Highlighting both winemaker's skill and Eden Valley's charms. 94

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: TBC

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2017 / Barossa / Eden Valley / Shiraz

Friday, 13 July 2018

Yelland & Papps Divine Shiraz 2014

14:03 Stu.

Comes off a Greenock vineyard planted in the early 60s; 1076 bottles produced (bottle #1009). Pretty hands-off in the winery, a small percentage (18%) of new French oak, seasoning, for 27 months before being bottled, both unfiltered and unfined.

Deeper representation of the variety, compared to the vogue and certainly within the portfolio.

Yet for that depth, it carries the lighter red fruit elements of plum, veering toward a little cassis; it's spice tinged with cinnamon and clove. Lighter blue fruit elements start to shine, as it slowly unfurls.

The elegance of the fruit shines, a stark contrast to its inherent depths. Haunting, it clings to the very recesses of the palate and lingers, long, in the memory. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 7th July, Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $115
Alcohol: 13.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yellandandpapps.com/

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2014 / Barossa / Greenock / Shiraz

Sunday, 29 January 2017

Hentley Farm Black Beauty Sparkling Shiraz NV 2016 Disgorgement

14:30 Stu.

For some reason I thought this a Non-vintage sparkler, but it appears to be a vintage wine. By-the-by.

Beautiful, brambly, black fruit nose, touch of black cherry and even a little spice and almond paste here.

Smooth, velvety, an elegance with a depth bringing up the rear. Effortless in its delivery, exquisite in its form. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 25th December, Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $62
Alcohol:
Closure: Cork
Website: www.hentleyfarm.com.au

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Barossa / NV / Shiraz / Sparkling

Saturday, 7 January 2017

Hentley Farm Rosé 2016

15:45 Stu.

Happy New Year - i s'pose this blog doesn't write itself now...

Lurid pink in glass, like grannie's lipstick (un)gracefully applied before planting a smacker with her pruney lips.

All about the red fruit (unsurprising given it's made from Grenache), of raspberry, a little cranberry and some creaminess.

It's quite tart on entry, that cranberry tang making its presence felt. It's drying, a chalky pucker before flashes of bright acidity followed up by a little residual fruit sweetness. 88

Tasted on: Thursday 8th September, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $21.50
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.hentleyfarm.com.au

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2016 / Barossa / grenache / Rosé

Sunday, 2 October 2016

Jacob's Creek Le Petit Rosé 2016

12:00 Stu.

We've reached a peak brose moment Ladies and Gentleman. Bills itself as "dry and crisp", certainly looks the part, a fetching dusky pink in the glass.

Berry aromatics exhibited here: strawberry, raspberry, tangy cranberry - a little musky, savoury edge.

Doesn't quite carry that initial promise off with any form of conviction - yes it's dry, but that also comes with a bitterness, a hard edge. A little crisp acidity toward the back end, with little else to support it. Shame, offered promise. 86

Tasted on: Friday 12th August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $16.99
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.jacobscreek.com/

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2016 / Barossa / Rosé

Friday, 8 July 2016

Torzi Matthews Vigna Cantina Rosato di Sangiovese 2015

08:30 Stu.

Not the strongest aromatically: suggestive of rose, Turkish delight, savoury hints in the background, of dried leaf matter and wood.

Cranberry, juniper, gentle acidic crunch, a little grip; delicate, light, gentle in how the flavours meld together.

Concludes with an earthen, peaty, single-malt style finish. Quite the interest. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 31st May, a Flower to Leaf
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.torzimatthews.com.au/

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2015 / Barossa / Rosé / sangiovese

Monday, 13 July 2015

Christobel's Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

20:00 Stu.

Herb more prominent on this 2014 (compared to its 2013 sibling reviewed earlier). Grassier, more chinese gooseberry, a light tropical edge, light brush strokes of honeyed florals.

More life, texture and energy here - still with that slightly green edge. Drying phenolics on the finish - aids length. 87

Tasted on: Saturday 9th May, a Fruit day

Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: Yalumba Christobel's

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2014 / Barossa / Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon

Christobel's Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013

19:57 Stu.

Citrus, chinese gooseberry, florals and fresh green herb.

Fleshy tropicals butt up against a harder, astringent mid-range; over-riding thought of it is a little unripe honeydew/cantaloupe melon.

Finishes clean and fresh - OK. 85

Tasted on: Saturday 9th May, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: Yalumba Christobel's

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2013 / Barossa / Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon

Saturday, 18 October 2014

Gibson Wines - The Dirtman

08:48 Stu.

The Good Food and Wine Show hit Brisbane over the weekend of 17-19th October 2014.

It's an event that draws many of Australia's wine and food community: its producers, consumers and characters.

Rob Gibson of Gibson Wines is one such character, he can be seen in the pic to the left, naked and chest deep in one of his beloved vineyards.

Gibbo is "The Dirtman". A twenty plus year career with Penfolds, fifteen of them as Group Viticulturist. That time at at Penfolds is writ large across Gibbo, in the wines he makes now with son Adam under the Gibson brand, in how they leverage off fruit from across the Barossa region, in the proclivity for being photographed naked in soil pits in vineyards.

I had the pleasure of tasting through a few current releases with Rob and Adam, along with a couple of select museum releases, at a private social event. Notes are largely as recorded on the night.

2012 'The Smithy'
A new wine in the Gibson portfolio, the 'Great Aussie Red' blend marrying Shiraz and Cabernet, in a 66/34 proportion. Of the Shiraz, 44% is Eden Valley fruit. Spends 20m in wood, 60% French and the remainder is American. Initially shows a touch of leaf, before fruit takes control. An attractive perfume oak, vanilla. Medium to full bodied, attractive berry fruit, suggestion of citrus. 90/91

Price: $27
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap

2013 'The Dirtman' Shiraz
The wine that bears Rob's adopted name. Large scale production - for Gibson - of around 1500 dozen, a mix of Barossa and Eden Valley fruit. Spends 18 months in American oak (as advised by Adam, contradicts the 24months on the website in case anyone pulls me up on that). Vanilla oak, black fruit, toasty. On the palate it's full, smooth, sheen of oak; black, sweet fruit. Leaves a good length with a hint of choc-chicory bitterness. 91

Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.3%
Closure: Screwcap

2006 Old Vine Eden Valley Shiraz
Reaching back into the cellar, Adam states: "we wanted to show how the wines can age and develop". - $110 for current release. Starting to develop savoury notes, touch of leather, secondary characters. That said, it's still fresh, primary, pepper and a suggestion licorice; still bears a some acid - time ahead of it; depth black plum, skins; good length, finesse. 92/3

Price: $110
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Cork

2010 Old Vine Barossa Valley Shiraz
Fruit here comes predominantly around the rivers (Para), some of towards Langmeil, others a 102 year old block around Light Pass. In effect, a composite of the 'Barossa' here.
Dense, chewy, muscular; still balanced - coffee hints with softer fruit components balancing out those darker, deeper notes. Spice, length, unforced. 94+

Price: $115
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Cork

Big note of thanks to Gibbo and Adam for their time, the wines and good company. Heartfelt thanks to host David and also to "The Dogman" for "rocking the pans" - I reckon the chicken was cooked after all.

Tasted on: Friday 17th October, a Leaf day
Source: Private Tasting
Website: http://www.gibsonwines.com.au/

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2012 / 2013 / Barossa / Barossa Valley / Cabernet Sauvignon / Eden Valley / Shiraz

Saturday, 23 August 2014

Grant Burge Hillcot Merlot 2012

07:43 Stu.

Attractively packaged the Vineyard series from Grant Burge. Full tote price is approaching $25, can be found at large format retailers considerably cheaper.

Black fruit, obvious veneer of oak - simple aromatics. Palate shows that fruit profile carrying forward, a welcome savoury addition too, even if acid is a little jarring. Decent tannin, decent length. 89

Tasted on: Sunday 17th August, a fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $24.75
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website:

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2012 / Barossa / Merlot

Wednesday, 9 April 2014

Duck Duck Goose Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

14:43 Stu.

Tasted blind in a bracket of 7 Cabernet Sauvignon/ dominant blends.

Dark, prune and raisin. Thick, lush and plush; touch of fruit and nut chocolate about it. Good-ish, gentler than initially thought. 'They' would love it, a crowd-pleaser. 87

Tasted on: Tuesday 1st April, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com/

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2012 / Barossa / Cabernet Sauvignon

Sunday, 2 March 2014

Rocland Estate 10 Years Tawny

07:09 Stu.

It's often handy to have a fortified number to call on to pair with an appropriate dish - me, I love nothing more than a glass with some good quality dark chocolate.

Here we have sticky date/ toffee pudding - another great match - walnuts ad fruitcake with hints of spice in the mix. Touches of burnt orange dance around in the background.

Palate is plush, showing the richness of age, with a spiciness that lingers. The palate is rich with a good balance of fruit and spice character. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 26th January, Flower to Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 19.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com/

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Barossa / NV / Tawny

Monday, 24 February 2014

Rocland Chocolate Box Mataro 2012

13:44 Stu.

Opens with the dense, dark cherry familiar to the variety, backed up with a blueberry before a savoury edge of leather and earth forms.

The palate is a little thin, entry shows a touch of licorice - beyond that it's a little raisined with little substance to back it up. Little length to speak of. Showed better with food. 86

Tasted on: Saturday 8th February, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com

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#ProjectMataro / 2012 / Barossa / Mataro et al

Sunday, 14 April 2013

Running With Bulls Barossa Tempranillo 2011

10:22 Stu.

The Barossan partner to the Wrattonbully version, this a 2011 and the latter a 2012 example.

Black and blue fruits, spice: mace and a little black pepper; cola-ish with a hint of black cherry. Slightly mulchy, some hints of green peppercorns in there too.

Spice on the palate, touch of muscavodo tinged woody character. Easy to drink, not a challenge - not a problem here - just a little thin and truncated. 87 - Average

Tasted on: Friday 22nd March, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://twitter.com/RWBWine

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2011 / Barossa / Tempranillo

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Yalumba The Scribbler 2010

11:10 Stu.

There's something inherently comforting about a "Great Aussie Red", and this example from Yalumba shows its Cabernet (57%) dominant composition with plum, mulberry and spice on approach.

Good Cabernet structure on its medium bodied frame, charry oak and Shiraz generosity. Initially a little raw, twiggy tannin resolves a little over time and that line of spice is the gift that keeps on giving. Would love to see how it mellows - at the price a likely candidate to bob a few away for some time in solitary. 91 - Very Good

Tasted on: Sunday 2nd December, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $22.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yalumba.com

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2010 / Barossa / Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz

Monday, 24 September 2012

Thorn-Clarke Sandpiper Eden Valley Riesling 2011

12:06 Stu.

Trust in Riesling to shake me from a little wine malaise.

Lemon, lemon sherbet, higher notes of citrus blossom with a loose framework of stony mineral. Some underlying tropical notes complete the aromatic picture.

Juicy, fresh, hints of apple. Feels a little looser and approachable now, than some of the tightly coiled 2011s tasted. Acid is still noticeable, but has settled from the razor-like, teeth-achingly sharp position of around a year ago.

Finishes fresh and long - citrus a consistent theme through. 90 - Good

Source: GFWS
Price: $16
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.thornclarkewines.com.au/

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2011 / Barossa / Eden Valley / riesling

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