Astrale Chianti Riserva 2021

Astrale Chianti Riserva 2021

  07:16    Stu.

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Deep, almost like a raw beef and blood depth here, over black fruit, subtle herb drawing in. 

Good weight on entry, delicate and balanced. Nice rub of tannin, subtle coarseness. Tannins drive length as they cascade across the finish - latter resurgent red fruits, touch of baked spice. Solid overall package. Almost nudging 92 here. 91

Tasted on: Wednesday 5th November
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Cork
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Castello Di Meleto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020

Castello Di Meleto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020

  12:30    Stu.

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Vibrant in glass, firm and dense in aroma. It's iodine, fennel tops, cherry and florals. It's a complex and heady mix on offer.

Tight and fine tannin, acid is persistent in line and length. Excellent length, grip, presence. Good to go now, or another ten. 93

Tasted on: Saturday 11th January
Source: Sample
Price: $150

Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Cork
Sample c/o: https://www.singlevineyards.com/ 

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d'Arenberg The Mind Palace Sangiovese 2022

d'Arenberg The Mind Palace Sangiovese 2022

  07:49    Stu.

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Such an enjoyable Sangiovese: black cherry, slight ferrous earthiness.

Palate, juicy with a dark vein threading across the palate. Pop of acid to cleans things up, carrying you home.

Italians look away now, but with some lamb ragu pallardelle this came up a notch. A yes here. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 20th August
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2021

Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2021

  10:04    Stu.

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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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Angullong Fossil Hill Rosé 2022

Angullong Fossil Hill Rosé 2022

  08:53    Stu.

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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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The Little Wine Company Sangiovese 2019

The Little Wine Company Sangiovese 2019

  08:30    Stu.

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Cracking Sangio from the Hunter here. It's a fruity vibe with just enough of a savoury pitch for interest.

Soft and supple on entry, a barely there throw of tannin gains a modest amount of presence to coat the mouth and leave a lasting presence.

Lingering acidity for freshness and to clean up the palate and whatever you choose to pair with it. Cliched as it may seem, Pizzas worked well at Chateau Vinsomniac. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 19th October
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.thelittlewinecompany.com.au/

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Natural Wino Co Organic Lightly Sparkling Rosé 2021

Natural Wino Co Organic Lightly Sparkling Rosé 2021

  21:35    Stu.

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Light Berry kiss with a grassy undertow. 

Strawberry mousse like flavour on initial entry, a subtle petillence adds a bit of energy and drive.

There's a lightness - perceived perhaps, for it's lower in both calories and alcohol - to the body and it sits well across the palate.

Delightful way to start, an afternoon cleanser. 89

Tasted on: Saturday 5th March
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.thenaturalwineco.com.au/

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Mr Mick Sangiovese 2021

Mr Mick Sangiovese 2021

  20:58    Stu.

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Youthful take on Sangiovese - Nuovo, as perhaps it might be best stated.

Smells primary, of fresh summer strawberry, cherry and blackcurrant, augmented with a touch of baking spice in the mix.

The palate is slick, glossy and fair glides across the palate in an energetic manner.

It's a lighter take on Sangiovese, but unmistakabley carrying the markers of that great variety. Light, lithe, playful - and quite smashable. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 9th February
Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.mrmick.com.au

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Golden Grove Sangiovese 2021

Golden Grove Sangiovese 2021

  08:30    Stu.

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Vibrant and juicy style of Sangiovese here. Unsure what the Sangiovese/ Chianti equivalent of a 'Joven' style is - but I'd offer that this is it personified.!

It's delicate, fruit forward and with the merest hint of tannic crunch. It's a loose and 'open weave' style of wine, free and easy in its style. 91

Tasted: Saturday 9th October

Source: Sample

Price: 35

Alcohol: 12.5%

Closure: Sample

Website: https://www.goldengroveestate.com.au/

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Gerler Rosé 2019

Gerler Rosé 2019

  16:30    Stu.

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McLaren Vale Grenache blended with Sangiovese and a little more Grenache from the Adelaide Hills. A Friday night lift amongst the uncertainty that surrounds in Covid times. 

A hint of something like cherry blossom, strawberry and husk. There's an initial crunch on the palate, juxtaposed against some residual fruit sweetness. 

A slight caramelised fruit hint adds depth, a phenolic pinch -further substance. A delicate tail of flavour subsides, just long enough to remind you to grab another glass. 90 

Tasted on: Friday 3rd April 
Source: Retail
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.gerler.com.au/

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Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2018

Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Angullong seems to have developed quite an affinity for these, so called, alternative varieties - though we've considered them that for over a decade now in many cases. However so collectively referred should no detract from the continued success they've had in crafting fine examples across red and white grape varieties, to the point where they are well anticipated  across the tasting bench when the opportunity arises. 

Subtle woodsy spice gives way to a deeper fruit manifestation in the cherry and raspberry spectrum. For that initial brightness is settles back into a more savoury rhythm. A touch of brighter acidity brings things back into focus, providing a guiding line across the finish. 

Powdery tannin leaves a decent conclusion. Interestingly it was one I preferred on its own, my chosen food pairing of creamy pork and fennel pasta not providing the best match on this occasion. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 15th April 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.angullong.com.au/

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the dilettantes Sangiovese 2017

the dilettantes Sangiovese 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Single vineyard Sangiovese. Picked and left covered in the chiller for 2-3w; all 3+ year old oak. Intent being to make something in the easy going style of a vino di tavola (table wine). 

Black cherry, Plum, spiced. Light, delicate and powdery crunch; Smashable and juicy with a fine line of acidity that races through the finish. 

Wicked length of black fruit, hint of licorice, but more than that - it’s just downright smashable (yeah, I used the word twice). 91 

Tasted on: Thursday 5th December 
Source: Tasting
Price: $22
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://dilettantevino.com.au/

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Yalumba Y Series Rosé 2019

Yalumba Y Series Rosé 2019

  16:00    Stu.

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Made from Sangiovese IIRC, a bit of a go to in The Vinsomniac household, particularly when found on a 2 for $20 deal at the local large format boozeatorium. 

Wild strawberry, subtle musk and Turkish Delight aromatics. Crisp and clipped, dry and savoury, yet subtle cherry aspects; for the ask this is a cracking value Rosé. A prelude to a Sunday lunchtime sesh. 89

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

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Yalumba Wild Ferment Rosé 2019

Yalumba Wild Ferment Rosé 2019

  16:30    Stu.

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It's 42% Grenache (Barossa Valley), 42% Sangiovese (Barossa Valley) and 16% Verdejo (Eden Valley). White peach, subtle herb - thyme, rosemary perhaps - smattering of wild strawberry.

Something like an amaro bitterness, again touch of herb through the palate, crisp and clipped. Subtle manadarin/orange citrus. Deliciously dry, on a good length. 91 

Tasted on: Friday 15th November, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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d'Arenberg Stephanie The Gnome With Rose Coloured Spectacles Rosé 2019

d'Arenberg Stephanie The Gnome With Rose Coloured Spectacles Rosé 2019

  20:25    Stu.

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Pouring a darker hue than the trend, as is Stephanie's wont. Cranberry, hints of toffee apple.

Dry with an immediate punch of acid, as if to clear the palate for the modicum of fruit that sweeps across the palate; macerated strawberry and hints of citrus oil give the impression of freshness. 

A textural roundness gives some volume, but it is found wanting in other areas, feeling a little disjointed. 86 

Tasted on: Saturday 26th October, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Angullong Fossil Hill Rosé 2019

Angullong Fossil Hill Rosé 2019

  18:02    Stu.

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Rosé from Orange and made with Sangiovese grapes, often creates a delightful and savoury wine, this no exception. 

Strawberry, Turkish Delight, it seems dry just on aromatic intro. The palate, crisp and savoury, berry driven in the main, a vanilla cream aspect buoys that. A crisp acidity adds textural crunch. Chill, and chill. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 22nd November, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.angullong.com.au/

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Pig in the House Organic Rosé 2019

Pig in the House Organic Rosé 2019

  16:30    Stu.

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I was surprised to learn that this was the first release of a Rosé under the Pig in the House label, organic fruit of course.

Strawberry, rose petal, Turkish Delight. Musky hints, veering to savoury nuances on the palate. 

Drying, but long on flavour, the musk and savoury elements delivering on the length. Good Rosé. Enough about it to refresh, complex enough to interest. Solid. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th November, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://windowrie.com.au/

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Moppity Vineyards Cato La Pendenza Sangiovese 2017

Moppity Vineyards Cato La Pendenza Sangiovese 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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'Cato' is the banner under which Moppity Vineyards has chosen to explore winemaking with, what may be considered, alternative varieties. 

Bottled in a high shouldered 'Malbec' bottle (more correctly designated as an "ACI Reverse taper Chateau BVS"), and what's in the glass is pretty as a picture, pouring a shimmering magenta, translucent as if to bare its soul to the approaching imbiber.

Cherry, subtle tobacco, over a light caramelisation and mint. Redolent of drying woodland after a long and hot summer.

Light and noble on the palate, cherry in the main, with subtle woodland spice. Faint tannin, a gentle touch from the winemaker exhibited in this manner. A delicate thing, nigh fragile, yet with a gentle kick-on. Quite superb. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 6th September, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://moppity.com.au

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Mr Mick Rosé 2019

Mr Mick Rosé 2019

  12:30    Stu.

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Cracking rose petal meets red berry perfume here. It hooks, it reels, it'll likely have you keen to take a swig as soon as you get your olfactory organ near it. 

Cranberry freshness and crunch, it's dry without sacrificing flavour. A fine acidic line threads its way through the wine. Bloody good drinking for $17. 90 

Tasted on: Wednesday 19th June, a Fruit day 

Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://mrmick.com.au

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Vignerons Schmolzer & Brown Pret a Rosé 2018

Vignerons Schmolzer & Brown Pret a Rosé 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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The modern trend is to make Rosé in the pale and dry style, except many seem to forget that a wine needs to have flavour, presence and persistence. Not so the dynamic winemaking duo of (Jeremy) Schmolzer and (Tessa) Brown.

Here, a serious Savoury Rosé, a touch reductive almost - funky, nigh smokey hints on offer.

Crisp, clipped and clean acidity crunches its way across the initial palate. Superb use of old barrels and full solids to build complexity. Feels somewhat dirty - oh trust me, in a very good way - thereafter. Just superb rosé. 95 

Tasted on: Sunday 14th July, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Retail
Price: $27
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.vsandb.com.au/

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