An Australian Wine Blog

This Wine Blog

This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

I'm a wine drinker, and this blog is about wine, not just Australian wine.

If you wish to contact me, please do so here.
All content of this Australian Wine Blog © Stuart Robinson - The Vinsomniac. Powered by Blogger.

Showing posts with label South Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Australia. Show all posts

Thursday, 6 November 2025

Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2022



Wine shouldn't be this good for fifteen clams! Fresh and youthful take on Tempranillo, all brambly black fruit, quite primary. 


Light, lithe, supple - a delicate weight to it too, ethereal if you like. Veers towards a savoury bitterness towards the finish. Would stand shoulder to shoulder alongside 'Joven' styles double the price. Not recommended to pair with clams. 90


Tasted on: Wednesday 29th October
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

Follow me: https://www.vivino.com/users/stuart-ro

Wednesday, 5 February 2020

Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay 2019


Stonefruit, melon, creamy cashew and nougat; fresh and approachable, no oak presence to speak of - perhaps the merest smattering of oak derived spice.

Fruit presence is well defined across the palate, textural nuances, subtle spiced hints. For a wine that can be found around the $10-14 mark it's certainly well executed. 89 

Tasted on: Monday 18th November, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.yalumba.com

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

Wednesday, 29 January 2020

Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2019


A very good entry level Viognier, from Yalumba - the masters of the variety in Australia.

Apricots, subtle citrus (mandarin peel/ segments or such), honeyed aspects and a smattering of ginger spice that is normally only seen in the better examples.

A mix of textural richness, managing to balance that creamy aspect to the wine with an almost savoury nuanced palate. A touch of acidic drive, further hints of spice just add to the overall proposition. 90

Tasted on: Saturday 16th November, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.yalumba.com

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

Sunday, 19 January 2020

Yalumba Y Series Riesling 2019


Decent entry level Rizza from a broader South Australian GI. Offers what is great and good about the variety, an attractive bouquet - floral, hints of Passionfruit even, yes lime in the frame too.

Crispness, good drive of acidity that gives length. Yes, perhaps it's not the most profound example, but it's bloody refreshing and great value.  89

Tasted on: Friday 15th November, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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

Tuesday, 3 December 2019

Yalumba Y Series Pinot Grigio 2019


Subtle orange oil and blossom, poached pear and delicate spice; pear conveys itself on the palate, honey nuances, spice adding a tickle of length. 

For a $15 retail ask it certainly ticks the boxes, of both variety and style. 87 

Tasted on: Sunday 24th November, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $ 15
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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

Sunday, 24 November 2019

Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2018


Yalumba's Y Series represents cracking value across the board. This Shiraz Viognier is no exception. An inviting hit of Mulberry, blackcurrant, even some cherry in the mix; what seems a mere kiss of oak - there is none - accentuates and frames the wine up. Peppery hints tickle the nasal cavity.

Medium bodied on entry to the palate, black fruit that glides across effortlessly, fine rub of tannin; spice and acidity aid flow and length.

Very good value. This wouldn't look out of place amongst luminaries two times the price. 89

Tasted on: Wednesday 20th November, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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

Thursday, 18 July 2019

Jacob's Creek Classic Riesling 2018


Tropical imbued, green papaya and lime in the main. Slightly husky, pithy. 

Lemons and Limes, simple in approach, certainly juicy and refreshing. Nice tang and a gentle ebbing flow along the palate. Decent Riesling for the ask, particularly given what it can be found for in the multiples. 88 

Tasted on: Wednesday 22nd May, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $11.99
Alcohol: 11.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.jacobscreek.com

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

Wednesday, 24 August 2016

Taylor’s Promised Land Cabernet Sauvignon 2014


Generic red fruit on offer here, lacks a varietal distinction from my blogger’s view point. Still, what am I asking of it at $14?

Fair amount of sweet black fruit, almost compote like in its representation. Too sweet for my liking. Offers a little tannin, but not much else. Doesn’t really put a foot wrong, yet does little right either


There’s better (try the Merlot in the same range). A no from me. 85

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd July, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $14
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au/

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

Tuesday, 9 August 2016

Yalumba Y Series Sauvignon Blanc 2015


Comes on quite strong, the herbaceous, grassy qualities strong here. Suggests a significant presence of Adelaide Hills fruit.

Bitter lemon, sherbet, segues to a little tropical fruit. It's a lively one I'll tell you. Packs a fair bit of zing, zest, and pizazz into itself.

Reasonable length too - if you enjoy this style of Sauv Blanc you are just going to lap this up at the price. 87

Tasted on: Sunday 7th August, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.yalumba.com

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

Monday, 8 August 2016

Taylor’s Promised Land Merlot 2014


Plummy depths with chocolate hints - there’s a little vanilla accented oak in the mix too. So far, so good. 

Soft, smooth, plush and easy going. There’s spice, particularly pepper, tannin is a little gruff but does give substance


Plenty of black fruit on offer, tannin gives a little extra grunt. Goes well - particularly at the price point, if not the most profound wine. 88

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd July, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $13.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au/

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

Sunday, 19 June 2016

Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2015


Vanilla, apricots - good aromatics, avoiding the ‘Shrill’ that poorly made Viognier can be afflicted with

A little bite, mineral and acid; carries some of the ginger/spice that Viognier can be known for. Not exactly a wine of subtlety, it’s pretty full and drying; if you’re seeking guile, go elsewhere - for value, this can’t really be overlooked. 88

Tasted on: Sunday 10th April 2015, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $13
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.yalumba.com

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

Saturday, 11 June 2016

Yalumba Y Series Riesling 2015


Citrus edge, light florals; more of the same on the palate.

A little phenolic edge. Not the most defined flavour, or carry, but it's there. Reasonable length. Certainly easy drinking and no quibbles at the price. 87

Tasted on: Friday 13th May: Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $12.99
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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

Sunday, 17 April 2016

Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2014


Subtle mix of dried earth, red/black fruit, possibly a little tapenade in the mix too.

Medium bodied, spiced on entry, plum and cherry in the mix; tannin is fine, well integrated, however it’s the spice that dominates.

Finishes OK, a plushness against a chicory bitterness or some such. 88

Tasted on: Friday 18th March, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $12.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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

Friday, 15 April 2016

Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2014


Somewhat generic red territory here, yes there are some glimpses of that blue fruit and savoury seasoning.

The palate: drying, fruit in the mix, with a little dried herb. You’ll not be disappointed at the price point, but for an extra $7-10 you’ll likely be able to find stablemate Running With the Bulls - with more varietal character.


Finishes OK - a little fruit, drying. 87

Tasted on: Saturday 12th March: a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $12.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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

Friday, 18 March 2016

Oxford Landing Pinot Grigio 2015


Carries the hallmark aromatics of the style: bosc pear, florals, a touch of spice. Some might consider it Gris-esque in profile.

I'd actually be keen to see where this sits on the Spectrum: textural flourishes, acid spice and phenolics - all suggest it could straddle a line.

Good length too. Commendable, you don't often see this quality at three times the price. 89

Tasted on: Sunday 4th October, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $8.99
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.oxfordlanding.com/

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

Friday, 11 March 2016

Taylor's Promised Land Riesling 2014


Lime, almost a brulee like character; showing some development, an early oxidative sense, yet retaining freshness.

Citrus, kumquat, stone and mineral, good retention of acid, but not particularly bold. Seems to be playing off the backfoot, rather than being forward, assertive. Some sugar adds a feeling of texture.

It's OK, given RRP and what you'd likely find it for in large format stores, yet my over-riding recommendation would be to spend a few dollars more and trade up, for there's much value to be had with the variety. 86

Tasted on: Thursday 24th September, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $13.95
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au/

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

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Taylors Promised Land Chardonnay 2014


Represents as something akin to a Chardonnay/ Sauvignon Blanc hybrid, with green tropicals, gooseberry and a touch of tangy citrus.

Carries that acidity well into the palate, balanced against what shows as a little mid-palate sweetness.

From a personal preference, it's not one for me, but doesn't disgrace itself. 86

Tasted on: Tuesday 8th September, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $13.95
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au/

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

Tuesday, 8 September 2015

Taylors Promised Land Shiraz 2014


An approachable Shiraz that will please many, and leave you with plenty of change from a twenty. 

Slightly jammy lead-in: compote and vanilla. Has a fair measure of crowd-pleasing appeal.

Juicy, medium bodied, generous in a fruit-driven style. Simplicity well executed, a little spice adds interest. 86

Tasted on: Thursday 6th August, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $13.95
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au/

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

Monday, 13 July 2015

Yalumba Christobel's Moscato 2014



The Australian wine industry does rather well in honouring its matriarchs, this named after Christobel Hill-Smith, the wife of former Managing Director Sidney Hill-Smith, who sadly perished in a plane crash in 1938.

Smells fresh, crushed candies - as Moscato often does to me - hints of peachy stonefruit.

The sweetness (50g/l) gives a little palate cleanse - an amuse bouche of the wine world if you like - stonefruit, a lick of citrus and cut of acid.

Can't fault it really, even if stylistically it's not to my personal taste. 86

Tasted on: Saturday 9th May, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 8.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yalumba.com/portfolio/wines/christobels-moscato

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

Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Aglianico 2013


Geoff Hardy uses fruit from across a number of regions in Australia to craft this Aglianico.

On opening, it took me back to the Northern Hemisphere, specifically an aroma redolent of conkers, that autumnal seed, beloved of children. Woody, herbal notes, sweeter gum and sap, a little briney note too.

On the palate an initial darkness, backed up by a briskness and liveliness; good body, texture, threads of silken tannin through to the finish.

Savoury, more-ishly so, good to go now and will server will for up to 7-8 years (if you can refrain from drinking it that is). 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th May, a 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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