Wirra Wirra Amator Nouveau 2020

Wirra Wirra Amator Nouveau 2020

  18:18    Stu.

---

A new - to me - release from Wirra Wirra, although the 'Amator' range appears to have been around since the 2014 vintage at least. It's a blend of Grenache (60%), Shiraz (20%) and Touriga (20%).

Amator being the origins of amateur, one who participates in sport for no payment. Here Wirra Wirra co-opts the term to reflect the labour of love in tending to the vines that contribute to the wines. 

Light on fragrance, yet a wickedly delicious palate that conveys freshness. There's an acidic line that curls across the palate, a delicate tannic crunch. The greatest surprise is I managed to refrain from consuming this in a single sitting. On day 2 it was certainly more in that youthful vogue, the palate is brighter and crunchier, with a delightful vein of acidity. 

Light and bright, touches of Plum and blackcurrant.  91

Tasted on: Wednesday 26th August 

Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14% 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://wirrawirra.com/

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

Read More

Vinteloper 'Adelo' Red Blend 2013

Vinteloper 'Adelo' Red Blend 2013

  09:19    Stu.

---

A somewhat unusual - unless you're David Bowley of Vinteloper that is - blend of Touriga Nacional (62%), Shiraz (28%) with a splash of Grenache and Pinot Noir for good measure. Predimantly 90% Langhorne Creek (Touriga Nacional, Shiraz I'd hazard) with the balance from McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills (my guess).

Immediately savoury, showing tobacco and leaf, dry woodland undergrowth, mossy. 

Silken, soft and juicy on entry, - a textural marvel - segueing to savoury, bramble notes. There's fruit meandering through, for sure, but it's the woody and savoury elements that really define this wine, and reflect it's composition. 

Tannin is fine; a little bitter chocolate at the conclusion. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 15th April, a Leaf day
Source: Retail, Melbourne Hotel
Price: $27
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.vinteloper.com.au/

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

Read More

Esperanza Touriga 2014

Esperanza Touriga 2014

  06:45    Stu.

---

Blue/purple fruit, violets, woody, muscovado sugar. 

Medium bodied. Powdery tannin, drying, firm flavour through the wine. Blue, black fruit, hints of bitter cocoa and smokey graphite 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 29th December: Leaf to Fruit
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://wirrawirra.com/

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

Read More

Quinta Vallado Douro Tinto 2007

Quinta Vallado Douro Tinto 2007

  19:54    Stu.

---

Having spent many a summer there as a child/ teen/ young adult, I've resolved to seek out more Portuguese wines. It is of course most famous in the wine making world for its fortified wines - Port. However, an increasing number of producers are producing table wines, many from grape varieties that are used in the production of those renowned fortifieds.

Opens a little 'medicinal' initially, needs a good decant to shake the shackles. Florals, intense red/black fruit fruit, a touch 'porty', hints of dried black earth and suggestions of hoi sin sauce.

Savoury, smooth - eighty percent of the wine is tank fermented - with woody spice, tobacco and plum. Continues to evolve over the time I had it open. Score possibly a touch conservative 89

Tasted on: Sunday March 2nd, a Flower to Leaf Day 
Source: Retail, Wine Experience
Price: $35
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.quintadovallado.com/default.aspx?idioma=pt1

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

Read More

S.C.Pannell Tinto 2010

S.C.Pannell Tinto 2010

  10:01    Stu.

---

Stephen Pannell was quite possibly born to make wine. The son of Moss Wood founder Bill Pannell, Stephen has worked at the likes of Wirra Wirra and Hardys. He now calls McLaren Vale home, and was honoured by his peers with the title of 'Bushing King' (an award for the best wine at the McLaren Vale Regional Wine Show) in 2011.

This wine, a blend of Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz and Touriga Nacional, strikes a lovely between the fruity nature of Grenache against its darker, spicier edge. There are raspberry and floral notes alongside a hint of mocha and hazelnut biscotti.

Ultra fine tannin that settles itself away over a day – if you can keep your hands off of it – it’s squarely medium bodied. It’s a wine of many parts, each adding up and contributing to the wine’s overall quality. The finish is easy going and drying, a wine you could quite happily slug back and contemplate in equal measure. 90 –Good

Source: Retail, Grand Central Cellars
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.pannell.com.au

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

Read More

Vinteloper Adelo 2012

Vinteloper Adelo 2012

  18:39    Stu.

---

I first tasted the Adelo with its debut release in 2010, and this 2012 sees the wine as a blend of Touriga Nacional (65%), Shiraz (25%), Pinot Noir (6%) and a little of the Grenache (4%) that didn't make the cut for the Urban Winery Project release.

Over an hour or so, the evolution of this wine was quite marked. Initially, yielding little - tight and composed - then, think parma violets crushed with a sprinkle of blue fruits. So welcoming, generous, giving. Quite seductive.

The palate is somewhat fleshy, again quite generous. The Shiraz showing itself alongside its somewhat more natural counterpart Grenache. Generously spice-tinged, a little warmth - not alcohol - and savoury charm.

A little spice and tobacco on the finish, the finish a little moderate compared to that which went before it. 91 - Very Good   

Tasted on: Monday 22nd April, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.vinteloper.com.au/

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

Read More